Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Council tax premium because the matter was appealed to a Valuation Tribunal.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains that the cl unreasonably imposed a Council tax premium on her property.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We cannot investigate a complaint if someone has appealed to a tribunal about the same matter. We also cannot investigate a complaint if in doing so we would overlap with the role of a tribunal to decide something which has been or could have been referred to it to resolve using its own powers. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(6)(a), as amended)
3. The Valuation Tribunal deals with appeals against decisions on council tax liability and council tax support or reduction.

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

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

Back to top

My assessment

6. Ms X says that the Council imposed a Council tax premium on her property despite the evidence she provided. The Council says that it needed information form her to determine the liability.
7. Ms X appealed successfully to the Valuation Tribunal.
8. The Ombudsman cannot investigate this complaint because the dispute was appealed to a Valuation Tribunal.

Back to top

Final decision

9. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because she appealed to a Valuation Tribunal.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman