Vale of White Horse District Council (19 003 234)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 18-Jul-2019

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mr Q’s business rates. Much of the complaint is late. In any event, the Council was not responsible for deciding whether Mr Q’s premises should be on the business rating list. And Mr Q’s liability for the business rates was decided in court.

Aylesbury Vale District Council (19 002 465)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 18-Jul-2019

Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council has dealt with his business rates. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because the matter is out of time. This is also a matter for the courts.

London Borough of Haringey (19 002 878)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 18-Jul-2019

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s failure to refund over-paid business rates. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because the complaint is out of time and against a body out of jurisdiction.

Blackpool Borough Council (19 003 011)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 16-Jul-2019

Summary: Ms X complains about the Council’s failure to issue her with a business rates bill, pursuing instead her landlord for the debt. The Ombudsman will not investigate the complaint because the complaint falls outside our jurisdiction as the court has determined liability.

Preston City Council (19 002 911)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 15-Jul-2019

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of business rates for an empty property. Mr Q’s injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement.

Tamworth Borough Council (19 002 774)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 09-Jul-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr A’s complaint about enforcement agents acting on behalf of the Council and the Council’s initial response to his complaint. This is because any failure by the enforcement agents to seal the envelope containing their notice did not cause significant enough injustice, compliance with the law is, ultimately, a matter for the courts and it was not fault for the Council to tell Mr A to complain to the enforcement agents in the first instance.

Medway Council (19 003 262)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 09-Jul-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate that some people have not paid their business rates. He is unlikely to find fault by the Council has caused the complainant injustice.

Derbyshire Dales District Council (19 002 337)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 04-Jul-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint relating to the payment of a debt for unpaid business rates. The courts are better placed to decide the matter.

London Borough of Bromley (18 018 348)

Statement Upheld Other 04-Jul-2019

Summary: Miss X complains the Council took recovery action which resulted in her car being immobilised for a council tax debt she had already paid. The Council told Miss X the balance on her council tax account was nil but did not say there was still a warrant with the enforcement agents and that further action could be taken. Miss X incurred further costs when her car was clamped which she could have avoided if the Council had explained the situation fully. A suitable remedy for the injustice caused to Miss X is agreed.

Shropshire Council (19 001 452)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 28-Jun-2019

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s failure to add a storeroom to his rates bill. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because the Valuation Tribunal dealt with Mr X’s appeal about his business rates. Additionally, Mr X has failed to provide the Council with information to allow it to investigate his complaint about officer behaviour.