London Borough of Merton (25 005 663)

Statement Upheld Council tax 24-Mar-2026

Summary: The Council was not at fault for the way it took recovery action for Ms X’s council tax debt. The Council was at fault when it failed to provide body camera footage when Ms X requested it, for an error in its complaint response to Ms X and when its Enforcement Agents chased a payment she had already made but this did not cause her a significant injustice.

London Borough of Hounslow (25 006 611)

Statement Upheld Council tax 24-Mar-2026

Summary: Mr X complained the Council incorrectly advised him he was due a council tax refund of £5,750.75 and agreed to send him the money. The Council later said Mr X was not due a refund. By then, Mr X had spent savings and borrowed money based on the Council’s advice, causing emotional distress. The Council was at fault for giving Mr X incorrect advice about his eligibility for a refund. The Council agreed to pay Mr X an increased distress payment for raising his expectations and for the distress and uncertainty its fault caused him.

London Borough of Hillingdon (25 017 580)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 24-Mar-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council to justify an investigation. We cannot investigate the service of a summons as it is court action, and we are prevented by law from investigating.

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (25 026 849)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 24-Mar-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about recovery of an overpayment because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Wealden District Council (25 017 879)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 23-Mar-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to backdate Miss X’s council tax reduction entitlement. This is because the complaint is late and there is no good reason to exercise discretion to investigate.

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (25 017 975)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 23-Mar-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mr X’s council tax account. This is because the injustice experienced is insufficient to warrant investigation.

Eastleigh Borough Council (25 016 964)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 20-Mar-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax arrears. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to warrant investigation. We cannot investigate the liability order as this relates to court proceedings.

West Oxfordshire District Council (25 017 645)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 20-Mar-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a council tax discount. This is because the injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement, and the Council has taken suitable action.

Bury Metropolitan Borough Council (25 018 668)

Statement Upheld Council tax 20-Mar-2026

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s delay in issuing her final tax bill. The Council has remedied the injustice through its complaints process. Investigation by us would not achieve anything more.

Birmingham City Council (25 017 497)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Council tax 19-Mar-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of a council tax account. The complaint is late and there are no good reasons to exercise discretion to consider it now.