Ribble Valley Borough Council (25 011 144)
Category : Benefits and tax > Council tax
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 28 Sep 2025
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax enforcement because the complainant has commenced legal action against the Council.
The complaint
- Mr X complains that the Council commenced Council tax enforcement action with false legal documents.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- We cannot investigate a complaint if someone has started court action about the matter. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(6)(c), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mr X says that the Council commenced enforcement action against him for unpaid Council tax using fake legal documents. He has commenced legal action against the Council.
- The Council says that a record of the Liability Order can be obtained from the court.
- Mr X has also commenced legal action against a charging order obtained by the Council from the court.
- The Ombudsman would not investigate any complaint where legal action has been taken by the complainant against the Council.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because he has taken legal action against the Council.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman