Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Mr X’s unhappiness with the Council tax he is required to pay. This is because the complaint is about matters which affect all or most of the people in Mr X’s area.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council has not sufficiently justified the amount of council tax he has to pay.

Back to top

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)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

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

Back to top

My assessment

6. Mr X complained the Council was not transparent about where it allocates the council tax he pays. He said the Council should accept a partial payment that was more reflective of the services he uses.
7. The Council explained council tax is a local tax rather than a charge for service and directed Mr X to information about what council tax is used for.
8. Mr X remains unhappy and wants us to find the Council at fault. The Ombudsman will not investigate matters that affect all or most of the people in a council’s area. As all residents are required to pay council tax in Mr X’s area, this is not a complaint we can investigate.

Back to top

Final decision

9. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the complaint is about matters which affect all or most of the people in Mr X’s area.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman