Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an attachment of earnings order because there is no worthwhile outcome achievable by investigation.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains about the unreasonableness of an attachment of earnings taken out against him by the Council for unpaid Council tax.

Back to top

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, or
• any fault has not caused injustice to the person who complained, or
• any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement, or
• there is no worthwhile outcome achievable by our investigation.

(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

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

Back to top

My assessment

5. Mr X complains that an attachment of earnings order obtained by the Council was on unreasonable terms which he could not afford.
6. The Council has confirmed that the outstanding Council tax debt has now now been paid. I do not consider therefore that any worthwhile outcome could be achieved by investigation.

Back to top

Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is no worthwhile outcome achievable by investigation.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman