Bristol City Council (19 009 255)

Statement Upheld Other 30-Oct-2020

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s decision that he was not entitled to small business rate relief. The Council is at fault as it did not consider Mr X’s utility bills as evidence he was occupying a business unit at the time he submitted the bills. This fault did not cause injustice to Mr X as the Council has now considered the bills and it would not have made a different decision if it had considered the bills earlier. The Council delayed in responding to Mr X’s complaint at stage two of its complaints procedure which will have caused frustration to Mr X. The Council apologised to Mr X for the delay in responding to his complaint which is an appropriate and proportionate remedy for the frustration caused to Mr X.

London Borough of Islington (20 004 625)

Statement Upheld Other 29-Oct-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council’s enforcement agents wrongly contacted his mother about a debt she did not owe. This is because we are satisfied with the Council’s proposed actions and it is unlikely an investigation would lead to a different outcome.

Medway Council (20 004 207)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 21-Oct-2020

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council held him liable for business rates on a property and refused rate relief. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because this matter was considered by the court, and the liability and rate relief matter is premature as the Council is reviewing his request.

Teignbridge District Council (19 017 183)

Statement Upheld Other 16-Oct-2020

Summary: Mr X complains the Council held him liable for business rates while it was considering a planning decision on his commercial property. He says the delays in the planning process caused him financial loss and a loss of income. He also complains about delays in the Council’s complaints handling. The Ombudsman finds no fault in how the Council applied business rates charges, but fault in how it handled Mr X’s complaint. The Council has agreed a remedy to address the injustice caused to Mr X.

London Borough of Southwark (20 000 518)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 13-Oct-2020

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council taking bankruptcy proceeds against him over unpaid business rates for which he says he was not liable. The Ombudsman should not exercise his discretion to investigate this complaint. This is because the complaint concerns matters which Mr X was aware of more than 12 months before he complained to us. We cannot consider complaints about matters which have been subject to court proceedings.

Trafford Council (20 004 166)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 07-Oct-2020

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council has found him liable for Business rates on a property which he disputes. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because this is a matter for the courts.

Southampton City Council (19 015 169)

Statement Not upheld Other 28-Sep-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman discontinued his investigation into this complaint about the conduct of enforcement agents in pursuing a Council Tax debt. This is because the majority of the complaint is outside his jurisdiction, and he could not add anything to the Council’s investigation of the remaining points.

Forest of Dean District Council (20 000 150)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 28-Sep-2020

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s decision to seek a bankruptcy notice against him. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because it is out of time and was also a matter for the courts.

London Borough of Camden (19 018 550)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 23-Sep-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman discontinued the investigation of Ms D’s complaint about Council officers visiting premises the charity she works for rents and opening bags and boxes stored on behalf of customers. This complaint is outside of the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction as the charity can pursue a remedy for trespass and interference with goods through the courts.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council (20 003 368)

Statement Upheld Other 23-Sep-2020

Summary: Mr X complains that the Council incorrectly sent him a business rate charge for a property which caused him distress. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because the Council has waived the charge and the Ombudsman would not seek any further remedy in this matter.