London Borough of Hounslow (18 018 454)

Statement Upheld Council tax support 16-Aug-2019

Summary: the Council delayed cancelling Ms B’s council tax support when it knew she was not entitled which created a significant overpayment. The Council also did not properly explain what information it needed to process her new council tax support claim and failed to deal with her complaint properly. That led to Ms B having to go to time and trouble to pursue her complaint and caused her distress. An apology, cancellation of the council tax support arrears along with a refund of any payments made, payment to Ms B and a review of the Council’s policy is satisfactory remedy for the injustice caused.

Royal Borough of Greenwich (19 002 989)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax support 11-Jul-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint that the Council has not awarded full council tax support. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and because the complainant could have appealed to the Valuation Tribunal.

London Borough of Croydon (19 002 755)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax support 26-Jun-2019

Summary: Mrs X complains about the way the Council has considered her applications for council tax support. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there was a right of appeal for any dispute about entitlement and there is insufficient injustice from the delay to warrant investigation.

Bassetlaw District Council (19 001 621)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax support 21-Jun-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council has refused to backdate council tax support for the last two years. The Council has applied its policy which is only challengeable at court.

Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council (18 015 670)

Statement Not upheld Council tax support 20-Jun-2019

Summary: Mr X complains the Council misled him about making a council tax reduction claim. As a result, he says the Council will not backdate his claim and he now has significant council tax to pay. The Ombudsman’s has not found fault by the Council.

London Borough of Redbridge (19 001 232)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax support 10-Jun-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s refusal to award Council Tax Reduction and the loss of his documents. Mr X has a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. The Information Commissioner’s Office is the body best placed to deal with his complaint about the loss of his data.

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (19 000 755)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax support 28-May-2019

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council placing an overpayment on her council tax account from 2002/3. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because Mrs X exercised her right of appeal and the Council has removed the overpayment.

North Somerset Council (19 000 519)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax support 24-May-2019

Summary: Mrs X complained about an overpayment of council tax support which was added to her account in 2018. She says the Council failed to explain its calculations of her benefit which led to the overpayment. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because it was reasonable for Mrs X to appeal the decision on her claim to the Valuation Tribunal.

Cherwell District Council (18 019 982)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax support 13-May-2019

Summary: Ms X complained about the Council’s handling of her Council Tax account. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because Ms X has right of appeal to a Tribunal.

Winchester City Council (18 019 400)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax support 26-Apr-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mrs B’s complaint about overpaid council tax reduction. This is because it is reasonable to expect her to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.