Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a council tax error in 2023. The complaint is late and there is no good reason to investigate now.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council has failed to offer suitable compensation to his relative, Ms Y, for the harm caused by a council tax error in 2023 that led to the erroneous issuing of two court summons. He also complains it has failed to appropriately respond to his correspondance about the matter.

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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 late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. Mr X complained to the Council about this matter in November 2023. The Council responded at stage 1 and stage 2 of its complaints procedure. Mr X did not bring the complaint to us until April 2025.
7. We will not investigate this complaint as it is late. Mr X was aware of the matter in November 2023. I can see no good reason why he could not have approached us sooner so we will not investigate now.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late and there is no good reason to investigate now.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman