The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to consider Mrs X’s application for council tax reduction. There is insufficient evidence of fault.
The complaint
Mrs X complains the Council has failed to process her council tax reduction claim. She says this has resulted in her having to pay more for her council tax.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Ombudsman investigates 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 may decide not to continue with an investigation if we decide there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mrs X submitted a claim for a reduction in her council tax due to her disability. She complains the Council has failed to provide her with this reduction and instead offered her benefits which is not what she wanted.
I will not investigate this complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault. The Council has correctly asked Mrs X to provide evidence to consider her claim for council tax reduction. A reduction for disabilities only applies in certain instances so there was no fault in the Council asking for this. Mrs X has not provided this and as such the Council has not been able to complete its assessment.
Mrs X is concerned the Council is not offering her a reduction but telling her to seek a benefit. There is no evidence the Council has told Mrs X to claim ‘benefit.’ Its communication with her has been about information it needs to decide whether to reduce her council tax.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman