Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (23 021 080)
Category : Benefits and tax > Council tax
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 06 May 2024
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Council tax precept as this is a complaint against a body out of jurisdiction.
The complaint
- Mr X complains that his local Community Council has unreasonably increased its precept which is added to his Council tax bill.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- We investigate complaints about councils and certain other bodies. We cannot investigate the actions of bodies such as Parish/Community Councils. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 25 and 34(1), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mr X complains that his local Community Council has unreasonably increased the precept (which is added to his Council tax).
- Mr X complained to the Metropolitan Borough Council but they explained that they did not determine the precept, merely added that precept to the Council tax bill.
- Mr X is unhappy with the actions of his local Community Council but that is not a body within our jurisdiction and so the Ombudsman cannot investigate this complaint. There is no fault by Rotherham Council.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the complaint is against a body out of jurisdiction and there is no fault by the Council.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman