Havant Borough Council (19 019 248)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 24-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to grant council tax support. This is because if Mr X disagrees with the Council’s decision it is reasonable for him to appeal to a valuation tribunal.

Plymouth City Council (19 019 249)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 23-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council has held him liable for council tax on a previous property. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because he could appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.

North Norfolk District Council (19 009 731)

Statement Not upheld Council tax 20-Mar-2020

Summary: The Council has confirmed it made errors in its calculation of the Council Tax owed by the owners of a number of holiday chalets. However, the complainant has not been disadvantaged by this. For this reason, the Ombudsman has discontinued his investigation.

Royal Borough of Greenwich (18 011 395)

Statement Upheld Council tax 20-Mar-2020

Summary: Ms E complains about how the Council has enforced an old council tax debt. We question whether the Council correctly issued the summons. And, in any case, Ms E can no longer get records to prove her assertion she paid the debt at the time. So, our view is it is not fair to now collect the debt.

East Hertfordshire District Council (19 018 098)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 20-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council wrongly took legal action against him when he had paid his council tax. The Council has apologised for its fault and cancelled the costs of the court summons. There is no remaining injustice.

London Borough of Ealing (19 017 436)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 19-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about her housing benefit and council tax. This is because much of the complaint is late. There were appeal rights available to Ms X and it was reasonable for her to use them. Fresh appeal rights will be available to Ms X if she disagrees with the Council’s most recent decision. There is no reason she should not use them.

Telford & Wrekin Council (19 017 756)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 19-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council’s contact with him about the non-payment of council tax by a person who occupies Mr X’s property, was bullying. This is because it is unlikely we will find fault by the Council and we cannot achieve the outcome Mr X seeks.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (19 018 987)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 19-Mar-2020

Summary: Mr B complains about the Council taking enforcement action against him for council tax arrears. The Ombudsman will not investigate the complaint because past events fall outside our jurisdiction and there is no evidence of fault in the more recent action the Council has taken.

Tamworth Borough Council (19 006 686)

Statement Upheld Council tax 18-Mar-2020

Summary: the complainant says the Council failed to properly calculate a refund of council tax, explain its calculation or comply with the complaints’ procedure. The Council recognised its fault but says it paid the refund promptly. The Ombudsman finds the Council at fault.

London Borough of Croydon (19 016 932)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 17-Mar-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Ms B’s complaint about council tax liability and the way the Council contacted her and then dealt with her complaint. It is reasonable to expect Ms B to use her right of appeal to the independent Valuation Tribunal if she disputes the Council’s decision on her liability. And further consideration of Ms B’s remaining complaints would not achieve any more for her.