Norwich City Council (19 015 827)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 25-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to pay housing benefit to a claimant. This is because the claimant has already appealed to a tribunal about the Council’s decision.

Cornwall Council (19 016 801)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 25-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council will not add interest to a backdated sum of Council tax. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council as this was determined by the Valuation Office Agency (a body out of jurisdiction).

Daventry District Council (19 008 490)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 24-Feb-2020

Summary: Mrs X complained the large bill from an overpayment of benefits was unreasonable and the Council should have allowed her case to go to a late appeal. The Council advised Mrs X of her appeal rights at the outset giving her a chance to make an appeal against the calculation of the overpayment. However, when Mrs X wanted to make a late appeal the Council did not clearly explain what action it would take. It has agreed to pass a late appeal to a Tribunal if Mrs X provides clear and specific reasons for her concerns about the calculation of the overpayments. This resolves any injustice from this element of the complaint.

Blackburn with Darwen Council (19 009 232)

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

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council has not paid a full refund of Council tax following a backdated exemption. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council (19 010 272)

Statement Not upheld Council tax 24-Feb-2020

Summary: Miss X complained the Council failed to deal with a change to her council tax fairly. This concerned a change from a joint account to council tax account in Miss X’s sole name. There was no fault by the Council.

Cambridge City Council (19 014 262)

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

Summary: The owner of a narrowboat complained the Council had unlawfully billed her for council tax. But the Ombudsman will not investigate this matter as there is no sign of fault by the Council. The owner instead needed to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal to dispute the Valuation Office Agency’s decision to include her boat in the rating list.

Herefordshire Council (19 017 003)

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

Summary: Mrs B complains the Council is demanding council tax she does not owe. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because he does not have the legal power to do so.

London Borough of Camden (19 019 192)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 24-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complains on behalf of a charitable trust that the Council has not applied Mandatory Rate Relief to the trust’s business rates. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because it is a matter better considered by a court.

London Borough of Haringey (19 000 635)

Statement Upheld Council tax 24-Feb-2020

Summary: The Council delayed in dealing with information on a council tax account and a claim for council tax reduction. Enforcement agents, acting for the Council, did not follow the regulations. The Council caused unnecessary time, trouble and distress to the complainant, who the Council knew was vulnerable. To put this right the Council will apologise, make a payment to the complainant and assess her correct council tax reduction. It will tell the Ombudsman what it will do to ensure in future its officers and agents deal correctly with vulnerable people.

Swale Borough Council (19 016 475)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 22-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about council tax. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council, and if Miss X disputes liability, she can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.