London Borough of Bromley (19 016 151)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 14-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complains that he received a Council tax bill which had been sent in error. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because he can pursue the matter to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Broxbourne Borough Council (19 003 927)

Statement Not upheld Council tax 13-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complains the Council should not charge him summons costs for council tax arrears while his property was empty. The Ombudsman has not found evidence of fault by the Council.

London Borough of Lambeth (19 017 577)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 13-Feb-2020

Summary: The complaint is about the Council asking Miss B to repay benefits. The Ombudsman cannot pursue this complaint because of Miss B’s appeal rights.

London Borough of Barnet (19 015 463)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 13-Feb-2020

Summary: Ms B complains about the way the Council handled her application for Housing Benefit. The Ombudsman will not investigate the complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council or injustice caused to Ms B to warrant an investigation.

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council (19 004 179)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 12-Feb-2020

Summary: Miss B and Mr C complained that the Council refused to refund payments recovered from a debt which had been included in an Individual Voluntary Arrangement. We find fault in the Council’s actions: it did not appeal against the outcome of the IVA but neither did it abide by the terms of the IVA and continued to recover the debt. The Council has agreed to refund the payments to the Insolvency Practitioner.

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (19 016 098)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 12-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this council tax complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Wyre Forest District Council (19 011 977)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 11-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s incorrect advice concerning his application and appeal for an empty property exemption. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of injustice caused to Mr X which would warrant an investigation.

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (19 015 600)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 11-Feb-2020

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council has not recorded his payments towards his Council tax arrears which led to bailiff costs. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.

Sunderland City Council (19 015 849)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 11-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about delay by the Council in issuing a final council tax bill. This is because there is insufficient evidence of injustice.

London Borough of Bexley (19 016 150)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 11-Feb-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to award a Discretionary Housing Payment. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.