Eastbourne Borough Council (18 014 711)

Statement Upheld Other 14-May-2019

Summary: Mr Y complains that an administrative error by the Council meant that his Council Tax case was wrongly passed to enforcement agents, who made two unnecessary visits to his previous address. Mr Y says this caused embarrassment and distress. The Ombudsman upholds the complaint. The Council will offset £150 against Mr Y’s debt for the avoidable distress that its actions caused.

Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council (18 015 059)

Statement Not upheld Other 10-May-2019

Summary: I have stopped investigating Mrs X’s complaint that the Council gave her incorrect benefits advice which meant she could not claim child tax credit. This is because the Council’s advice has not caused Mrs X an injustice and she can ask for reconsideration of her child tax credit claim.

Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council (18 019 699)

Statement Upheld Other 08-May-2019

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint that the Council failed to adequately respond to the complainant’s enquiries about his liability for business rates. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault in the advice provided by the Council, and the Council has taken satisfactory action to address the delay in responding to the associated complaint.

London Borough of Barnet (18 019 840)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 07-May-2019

Summary: Mrs X complains that the Council is holding her organisation liable for business rates for a building which they have had to leave due to the failings of the landlord. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because this is a matter for the courts.

London Borough of Lambeth (18 011 833)

Statement Not upheld Other 01-May-2019

Summary: There was no significant fault in how the Council handled payments to a Business Improvement District levy account. For this reason, the Ombudsman has completed his investigation.

Northumberland County Council (18 019 650)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 29-Apr-2019

Summary: Mr X disputes his liability for either council tax or business rates on a property he formerly leased. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because this is a matter for either the Valuation Tribunal or the courts.