Northumberland County Council (21 006 283)

Statement Not upheld Covid-19 14-Feb-2022

Summary: There was no fault in how the Council decided the level of grant funding to provide personal care businesses, under its discretionary restart grant scheme. It was for the Council to devise the scheme and it has applied it properly. The complainant also says she was given misleading information by the Council, but we have ended our investigation of this point, because it would be disproportionate to continue it.

East Lindsey District Council (21 005 192)

Statement Not upheld Covid-19 11-Feb-2022

Summary: Ms Z, on behalf of Mr X, complained the Council failed to use its discretion to award the Small Business Grant after amending his liability at another premises and awarding small business rate relief. There is no fault by the Council as no changes were made to the rating list for Mr X’s business premises and so no requirement for the Council to consider exercising discretion.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (21 006 516)

Statement Not upheld Covid-19 11-Feb-2022

Summary: Mr X complained the Council refused all applications for COVID-19 business support grants from January 2021 onwards causing financial difficulties. Since making his complaint to the Ombudsman, the Council has made a payment to Mr X under a later stage of the Additional Restrictions Grant. There is no evidence of fault in how the Council dealt with Mr X’s grant applications.

Birmingham City Council (21 001 675)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 08-Feb-2022

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s handling of his business rates account and its refusal to award rates relief and grants, causing him financial loss and stress. We found fault by the Council that did not affect decision outcomes but caused uncertainty. We recommended the Council provide an apology and act to prevent recurrence.

Leicester City Council (21 004 458)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 04-Feb-2022

Summary: Mr X complained the Council refused his applications for COVID-19 grants without properly explaining the reasons for refusal, causing financial hardship. The Council did explain the reasons for refusal and so there is no fault on this point. There is fault by the Council in respect of consideration of round two applications for the discretionary scheme but this did not result in any significant injustice to Mr X.

Cheltenham Borough Council (21 008 503)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Covid-19 04-Feb-2022

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint that the Council wrongly refused her application for a COVID-19 business grant. This is because there is no evidence of fault affecting its decision.

Sheffield City Council (21 011 700)

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

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to refuse his application for business rates relief available to certain businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because there is no evidence of fault affecting the Council’s decision.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (21 006 690)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 31-Jan-2022

Summary: Mr X complained the Council wrongly decided to recover a business grant paid to him, placing his business at risk and causing him stress. We found fault in the Council’s decision making causing Mr X uncertainty. We were satisfied with the actions taken by the Council to review its decision and prevent recurrence. We recommended the Council provide Mr X with an apology and payment for uncertainty.

Burnley Borough Council (21 002 086)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 28-Jan-2022

Summary: Mrs X complained that the Council wants her to repay a business grant it awarded her. She said the Council did not properly consider her evidence, and will not let her repay it in instalments. Mrs X said the situation made her ill, caused her to lose sleep, and caused a financial strain on her and her family. We find the Council at fault, and the fault caused Mrs X injustice. The Council has agreed to apologise to Mrs X and make a fresh decision considering all of the relevant evidence.

Rugby Borough Council (21 014 222)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Covid-19 28-Jan-2022

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council failed to award him grants and reliefs from business rates in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.