Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a council tax precept as it impacts all or most of the people in the Council’s area and so is not within our remit.

The complaint

1. Ms X complained about the adult social care precept of her council tax bill. Ms X says she is a struggling pensioner and feels she should not have to pay this debt.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We cannot investigate something that affects all or most of the people in a council’s area. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(7), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. The rate of council tax and precepts impacts all or most of the people in the Council’s area, and as per paragraph three, is not therefore something we can investigate. Even if we could, we could achieve no meaningful outcome for Ms X as council tax liability is defined in law and is not optional.

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Final decision

7. We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint because it is not within our legal remit.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman