Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (21 004 503)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 11-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr X complained on behalf of a company which, in 2020, did not receive a Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant set up to support businesses impacted by COVID-19. We find fault in the Council’s customer service and in its explanation for the non-award. This has caused injustice in the form of uncertainty, time and trouble and the Council has agreed to apologise for this. However, we do not consider the Council could have paid the company a grant for reasons explained in this statement.

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (21 007 126)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 11-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr X complained on behalf of a company which, in 2020, did not receive a payment from the Small Business Grant Fund set up to support businesses impacted by COVID-19. We find fault in the Council’s customer service and explanation for the non-award. This has caused injustice in the form of uncertainty, time and trouble and the Council has agreed to apologise for this. However, we do not consider the Council could have paid the company a grant for reasons explained in this statement.

Elmbridge Borough Council (21 007 624)

Statement Not upheld Covid-19 09-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr X complained the Council gave him incorrect advice resulting in his missing out on financial support for his business. We have found no evidence of fault by the Council.

Lancaster City Council (21 008 838)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 07-Mar-2022

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to take account of relevant powers to help her in respect of business rates at a pub following the death of the landlord during lockdown. Mrs X says the demand for payment of around £10,000 causes her significant financial hardship. There was no fault in the Council’s consideration of her eligibility to the Expanded Retail Discount and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant but it was at fault for not inviting her to make an application for Hardship Relief. Mrs X can now make such an application which is a suitable remedy.

Burnley Borough Council (21 005 347)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 03-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr X complained the Council was inappropriately seeking to recover a COVID-19 business grant paid to his business in April 2020. The Council paid the grant in error. This was fault for which it should apologise. It was not at fault for seeking to recover the grant.

Harlow District Council (21 008 940)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 02-Mar-2022

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council refused her businesses grants, did not address her complaint properly and reported inaccurately on finances. We did not investigate the Council’s reporting as there is a more appropriate body. We found fault in the Council’s communications with Mrs X that did not affect its decision making. We recommended the Council provide Mrs X with an apology and address her outstanding complaints, pay £150 for time and trouble and take action to prevent recurrence.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (21 010 238)

Statement Not upheld Covid-19 02-Mar-2022

Summary: We have discontinued our investigation about the Council’s decision to refuse the complainant’s business rates relief under the expanded retail discount scheme, and a grant under the retail, hospitality and leisure scheme, because his complaint is late. There was no fault in the Council’s decision the business is not eligible for partial rates relief.

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (21 004 717)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 02-Mar-2022

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council wrongly refused COVID-19 business grants, causing financial hardship. There was fault in the way the Council considered whether the business was a restaurant or takeaway. It also failed to consider whether the fact the business operated from a food court meant it was eligible for a Restart grant even if the business was deemed to be a takeaway. It should apologise, pay Mrs X £300 for the uncertainty and additional time and trouble she was put to, and reconsider her Restart grant application.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council (21 015 794)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Covid-19 02-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to refuse his application for a small business grant. This is because the complaint is late and there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council.

London Borough of Lambeth (21 015 977)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Covid-19 01-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s refusal to grant him a business rates discount. This is because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.