Blackpool Borough Council (19 004 448)

Statement Not upheld Other 20-Jan-2020

Summary: Mr X complained about the actions of the Council, and enforcement agents who acted on the Council’s behalf, after it obtained a liability order against him for non-payment of business rates which he said he was not responsible for. The Council was not at fault. The magistrates’ court issued a liability order against Mr X for the debt, and the Council passed it to enforcement agents who carried out their role in line with the relevant law.

Manchester City Council (19 013 238)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 10-Jan-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr B’s complaint that the Council could have been more helpful with the advice it gave to him about business rates and it could have handled his case differently. This is because it is unlikely we would find fault by the Council.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (19 006 231)

Statement Upheld Other 07-Jan-2020

Summary: Mr X complained about the actions of enforcement agents working on behalf of the Council. We have found fault. The Council has agreed a satisfactory remedy.

Dover District Council (19 011 552)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 03-Jan-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s recovery of a business rates debt. There is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council, and it is reasonable to expect the complainant to have used his right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal to challenge the rateable value of the property.

Derby City Council (19 012 136)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 19-Dec-2019

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s handling of his Business Rates liability. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because this is a matter for the courts.

Coventry City Council (19 005 229)

Statement Not upheld Other 12-Dec-2019

Summary: There is no evidence that of fault in how enforcement agents, working on behalf of the Council, made the decision to enter Mr C’s property to attempt to recover a debt owed by a family member.

London Borough of Wandsworth (19 006 236)

Statement Not upheld Other 03-Dec-2019

Summary: The Council and its agents were not at fault when Mr X did not receive an enforcement notice. The agents followed the Regulations in posting the notice to Mr X.

Stafford Borough Council (19 011 059)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 02-Dec-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot pursue this complaint about whether Miss B is liable for business rates. This is because the question of liability was decided in court.

Coventry City Council (19 012 337)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 29-Nov-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a council tax bill. This is because decisions about council tax bands are made by the Valuation Office which is not part of the Council. It was reasonable for Mr X to appeal to the tribunal. Also, the Ombudsman has no jurisdiction to investigate matters which have been considered in court.

Plymouth City Council (19 003 388)

Statement Upheld Other 27-Nov-2019

Summary: There was some fault by the Council. On one occasion, it failed to apply a discount that would have reduced Mr F's Council Tax liability. However, there was no fault in how the Council tried to recover unpaid tax or how bailiffs working on its behalf, acted. The Council has already apologised and adjusted the account and does not need to take further action.