West Northamptonshire Council (21 016 487)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 24-Feb-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to recover housing benefit and council tax reduction it had overpaid. That is because it is not unreasonable to expect the complainant to have used her rights of appeal.

London Borough of Lambeth (21 006 085)

Statement Upheld Council tax 24-Feb-2022

Summary: Ms C complained about the Council’s response when she requested a discretionary council tax reduction. We found some fault with the way the Council handled her request. We also found fault with the Council for a delay making reasonable adjustments for Ms C. The Council agreed actions to remedy the injustice to Ms C.

London Borough of Camden (21 005 275)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 24-Feb-2022

Summary: Mr C complained a retail business he represents did not receive a Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant. We uphold this complaint, finding the Council made a flawed decision to refuse the grant. This caused uncertainty. The Council accepts these findings and will reconsider its decision as part of a series of actions agreed to remedy this injustice, set out in detail at the end of this statement.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council (21 015 268)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 23-Feb-2022

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s decision to recover overpaid housing benefit. We will not investigate this complaint because there was a right of appeal to a tribunal and the matter is out of time.

London Borough of Haringey (21 015 647)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 23-Feb-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to recover overpaid housing benefit. This is because it would not have been unreasonable to expect the complainant to have used her right of appeal to the tribunal service.

Rossendale Borough Council (21 008 391)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 23-Feb-2022

Summary: Mr X complained the Council wrongly refused his sporting club a COVID-19 grant on the basis that it is a members-only club and so not reasonably accessible to visiting members of the public. Mr X says this has caused financial hardship. The Council failed to give clear and consistent reasons for refusal and failed to seek information about the accessibility of the club. The Council will invite the club to submit evidence to show it is reasonably accessible to visiting members of the public and will reconsider eligibility for the grant.

London Borough of Newham (21 004 901)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 22-Feb-2022

Summary: Mr X complained the Council wrongly refused him business grants and was poor in its communications, causing him distress and financial loss. We found fault in the Council’s decision making and communications causing injustice. We recommended the Council provide an apology, pay Mr X for distress, time and trouble, review its decision and act to prevent recurrence.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (21 009 484)

Statement Upheld Housing benefit and council tax benefit 21-Feb-2022

Summary: Miss X complained the Council failed to properly consider her application for Discretionary Housing Payment, causing her to fall into rent arrears. We found the Council did not properly consider a recent change in Miss X’s circumstances when assessing her application and in its later review. The Council agreed to apologise, reconsider Miss X’s application, and if it changes its decision, pay Miss X a financial remedy for avoidable uncertainty. The Council also agreed to issue reminders to its staff and review its application form.

Basildon Borough Council (21 009 734)

Statement Upheld Council tax 21-Feb-2022

Summary: Miss X complained about the Council’s decision on her council tax charges and its poor communications, causing her financial loss and distress. We decided not to investigate the Council’s decisions as Miss X could appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. We found fault with the Council’s communications. We recommended it apologise to Miss X, publish its discretionary reduction policy, and remind its staff to inform service users of their appeal rights.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (21 014 946)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 21-Feb-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council not telling an organisation about the time limit for backdating housing benefit. There is no direct link between the Council’s alleged fault and the organisation not receiving some rent.