Summary: We will not investigate Mr X complaint about the Council’s pursuit of council tax debts. There is insufficient evidence of fault to justify further investigation.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council continued enforcement action against council tax debts which were covered by an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA).

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainants and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. In April 2025, Mr X entered into an IVA and informed the Council. The Council requested documentation from Mr X and the company managing the IVA. The council tax debts were not included in the IVA, and I have not seen evidence they were admitted until October 2025.
6. There is insufficient evidence of fault in the Council’s pursuit of Mr X’s council tax debts. I have seen no evidence the Council pursued the debts after they were admitted to the IVA and the Council were entitled to pursue recovery up to this point.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint. There is insufficient evidence of fault to justify further investigation.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman