Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (25 025 610)
Category : Benefits and tax > Council tax
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 02 Jul 2026
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a council tax discount. This is because Mr X can appeal to a Tribunal regarding the Council’s decision.
The complaint
- Mr Y complains on behalf of Mr X that the Council has unfairly removed the single person discount on his council tax account from 2023. He says that Mr X’s relative is not living at the address. He also complains the Council added a £70 penalty notice for failing to inform the Council about a change in circumstances within 21 days.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- The law says we cannot normally investigate a complaint when someone has a right of appeal, reference or review to a tribunal about the same matter. However, we may decide to investigate if we consider it would be unreasonable to expect the person to use this right. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(6)(a), as amended).
- The Valuation Tribunal deals with appeals against decisions on council tax liability and council tax support or reduction.
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council. I also considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mr X complained to the Council in regarding the matters in paragraph 1.
- Mr X requested a review in October 2025 and then complained in December 2025 because he had not received a response.
- The Council responded in January 2026. It upheld its decision and explained the reasons for this. It advised Mr X that he could appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.
- We will not investigate this complaint because it is reasonable to expect Mr X to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal regarding the removal of the discount and the penalty notice.
- It is not a good use of public resources to investigate complaints about complaint procedures, if we are unable to deal with the substantive issue.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because he can appeal to a tribunal.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman