Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (21 004 108)

Statement Not upheld Covid-19 07-Dec-2021

Summary: Mr X complained the Council wrongly refused a COVID-19 business grant causing financial loss. There was no fault in the way the Council considered the grant applications.

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (21 004 114)

Statement Not upheld Covid-19 07-Dec-2021

Summary: Mr X complained the Council wrongly refused COVID-19 business grants causing stress and financial loss. There was no fault in the way the Council considered his applications.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (21 005 272)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 07-Dec-2021

Summary: When considering Mr X’s application for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (closed) the Council used the wrong test as the government had clarified what it meant by the term “trading” in respect of these grant schemes. However, Mr X would not have been eligible for the grant even if the Council had applied the correct test.

Harlow District Council (21 000 231)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 03-Dec-2021

Summary: Miss X complained about the refusal of the Additional Restrictions Grant and the failure to respond to a complaint about a racist comment. There is no fault in the decision to refuse the grant but there is in relation to the consideration of the complaint about a racist comment. A suitable remedy for the injustice caused is proposed.

Amber Valley Borough Council (21 001 809)

Statement Not upheld Covid-19 03-Dec-2021

Summary: Mrs X complained about the way the Council dealt with her application for the Additional Restrictions Grant and that the decision only to pay it to businesses with a loss of 50% or more has ignored her hardship. The Council did give incorrect and conflicting reasons for refusing the application. However, it carried out a review using the information provided by Mrs X and on applying the correct eligibility criteria, determined she was not entitled to the grant.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (21 003 807)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 02-Dec-2021

Summary: There Council was at fault for making contradictory decisions about the status of the complainant’s business. The Council has now reviewed the matter and decided to award the business a COVID-19 restart grant.

City of London (21 010 294)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Covid-19 29-Nov-2021

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the City of London Corporation (‘the Corporation’) reclaiming a business grant and business rates relief. This is because the Corporation properly reached its decision the business had not been eligible.

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (21 002 672)

Statement Not upheld Covid-19 26-Nov-2021

Summary: Mr X complained the Council wrongly refused a Local Restrictions Support Grant, which caused upset and distress, as well as adding to the financial difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Council was not at fault.

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (21 007 135)

Statement Not upheld Covid-19 26-Nov-2021

Summary: Mr X complained the Council wrongly refused COVID-19 business grants. The Council was not at fault for the way it considered whether Mr X’s business was occupying the business premises in March 2020. This meant the business was not eligible for a small business grant. It was not at fault for refusing other COVID-19 business grants.

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (21 007 136)

Statement Not upheld Covid-19 26-Nov-2021

Summary: Mr X complained the Council wrongly refused COVID-19 business grants, adding to the financial difficulties caused by the pandemic. The Council was not at fault.