Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (21 007 126)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 11-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr X complained on behalf of a company which, in 2020, did not receive a payment from the Small Business Grant Fund set up to support businesses impacted by COVID-19. We find fault in the Council’s customer service and explanation for the non-award. This has caused injustice in the form of uncertainty, time and trouble and the Council has agreed to apologise for this. However, we do not consider the Council could have paid the company a grant for reasons explained in this statement.

West Oxfordshire District Council (21 016 819)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 10-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council did not grant a longer period of council tax exemption or discretionary relief following the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown. We cannot lawfully question the Council’s exemption policy. There was a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal which it was reasonable to use on the refusal of relief.

Brighton & Hove City Council (21 016 997)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 10-Mar-2022

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about increased council tax bills. This affects all or most of the people in the Council’s area and is therefore not within our legal remit.

Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council (21 004 705)

Statement Not upheld Other 10-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr X complains the Council unreasonably charged him for court costs and enforcement agent fees for collecting business rates when it sent all relevant information to the wrong address. We found fault as the Council’s enforcement agents did not serve Mr X with a new Notice of Enforcement to his current address. This caused Mr X an injustice as he has paid avoidable enforcement fees. We have recommended a suitable remedy and so are minded to complete our investigation.

East Suffolk Council (21 015 875)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 10-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council dealt with council tax for a property the complainant rents to tenants. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and because the Council has cancelled the court costs.

London Borough of Newham (21 010 449)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 10-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a council tax refund because the Council has provided a fair response and there is not enough remaining injustice to require an investigation.

London Borough of Bexley (21 003 025)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 09-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with the complainants’ council tax account. It is unlikely we would find fault in how the Council has sought to recover unpaid council tax.

Elmbridge Borough Council (21 007 624)

Statement Not upheld Covid-19 09-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr X complained the Council gave him incorrect advice resulting in his missing out on financial support for his business. We have found no evidence of fault by the Council.

London Borough of Waltham Forest (21 016 010)

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

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mrs X’s council tax arrears. This is because it is too late now to investigate council tax matters from earlier years and if Mrs X has a new complaint, she must first raise it with the Council.

London Borough of Barnet (21 016 834)

Statement Upheld Council tax 08-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax. The Council has agreed to take further action to remedy the injustice caused to Mr X, and we are satisfied with the action it intends to take.