Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the right of the Council to enforce a Council tax debt as this is a matter for the court.

The complaint

1. Mr X argues that he does not have to pay Council tax as the Council has no legal power to enforce the law.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We have the power to start or end an investigation into a complaint about actions the law allows us to investigate. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we think the issues could reasonably be, or have been mentioned as part of the legal proceedings regarding a closely related matter. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 24A(6) and 34B(8), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mr X says that the Council has no legal right to require him to pay Council tax.
6. The Ombudsman cannot determine legal disputes. Only a court can do this. I am satisfied that this is therefore a matter for the courts.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because this is a matter of the courts.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman