Bedford Borough Council (21 001 718)

Statement Not upheld Council tax 08-Feb-2022

Summary: Mr X complained that the Council failed to notify him about possible recovery action and costs when seeking to recover his council tax arrears. He said this caused upset and stress. We do not find the Council at fault.

Ashfield District Council (21 007 204)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 08-Feb-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council was wrong to take recovery action about Mrs X’s council tax account that was in arrears. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council.

London Borough of Croydon (21 007 276)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 08-Feb-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s use of bailiffs to collect council tax arrears. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

London Borough of Ealing (21 014 740)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 08-Feb-2022

Summary: Mr X complains about the way the Council has recovered housing benefit from him as a landlord. We will not investigate this complaint because the complaint is out of time and could be (and was) appealed to a tribunal.

Birmingham City Council (21 014 972)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 08-Feb-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about recovery action for business rates. We cannot consider the court action resulting in the liability order and, after that, Mr X could have taken court action if he believed the liability order was wrong.

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (21 014 582)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 07-Feb-2022

Summary: Mr X complains about the service of a summons by the Council for unpaid council tax, which he disputes. We will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault and there is a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal for liability disputes.

London Borough of Wandsworth (21 014 333)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 07-Feb-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a housing benefit overpayment created in 2016. This is because part of the complaint is late and because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. In addition, the complainant could have used her appeal rights.

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.

Coventry City Council (21 013 835)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Housing benefit and council tax benefit 03-Feb-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to award a Discretionary Housing Payment. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.