South Oxfordshire District Council (21 018 016)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 27-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to change Mrs X’s council tax banding and the subsequent liability that arose from it. It would be reasonable for Mrs X to appeal against the bill at the Valuation Tribunal.

London Borough of Merton (21 005 278)

Statement Upheld Council tax 27-Mar-2022

Summary: Miss J complains about how the Council has dealt with her council tax support award. She says the amount it paid her was wrong. And it confused matters by changing an earlier discretionary decision to write off an overpayment. The Ombudsman’s decision is we will not look at whether the amount of council tax support was correct, as Miss J can appeal that issue. But we have upheld the complaint, as the Council’s administrative error led it to errors on Miss J’s council tax support account, that it then took some time to rectify.

King's Lynn & West Norfolk Council (21 011 236)

Statement Not upheld Covid-19 25-Mar-2022

Summary: There was no fault in how the Council considered an application for business rates relief under the expanded retail discount scheme. Although the complainant disagrees with the Council’s view, the Council was entitled to make the decision it did, and we have no grounds to criticise it. We have therefore completed our investigation.

Harlow District Council (21 011 768)

Statement Not upheld Covid-19 25-Mar-2022

Summary: Miss X complained the Council unfairly refused her a business grant and was poor in its communications, causing financial loss and distress. We find no evidence of fault by the Council.

Herefordshire Council (21 018 306)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 25-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council has calculated the Adult Social Care precept in Mr X’s council tax bill. This is because it affects all or most of the people in the Council’s area and is outside our jurisdiction.

Sunderland City Council (21 010 040)

Statement Upheld Council tax 24-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this council tax complaint regarding the removal of a discount and subsequent refund. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault regarding the discount and because the Council has provided a fair remedy in relation to the refund. The complainant’s request for information is a matter for the Information Commissioner.

London Borough of Redbridge (21 016 464)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 24-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax liability. The complaint involves the start of court action. It would also be reasonable for Mr and Mrs X to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (21 017 231)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 24-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council wrongly closing the complainant’s council tax account, resulting in her owing £1600 in council tax. This is because the Council has agreed to issue an explanation and apology. We could not add to the Council’s investigation.

Preston City Council (21 018 225)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 24-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council refusing to exempt Mr X’s property from council tax liability during a renovation. This is because Mr X can ask the valuation tribunal to consider liability.

London Borough of Wandsworth (21 018 274)

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

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