Birmingham City Council (24 002 063)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Covid-19 24-Jun-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council not giving Mr X’s business COVID-19-related business rates relief in 2022. The complaint is late without good reason to investigate it now.

London Borough of Croydon (24 000 330)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Covid-19 21-May-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s refusal to award her a COVID-19 business grant in 2020. This is because the complaint is late and it would have been reasonable for her to complain about it sooner. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint that the Council has obtained liability orders for unpaid business rates for the period 2020 to 2023 because there is not enough evidence of fault. If Mrs X believes she does not owe the business rates or that the Council failed to follow the proper process she may wish to apply to the court to set aside the liability orders.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (23 017 247)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Covid-19 14-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not exercise discretion to investigate this complaint about the Council’s distribution of government grants during the COVID-19 pandemic. This complaint which was received outside the normal 12-month period for investigating complaints. There is no evidence to suggest that Mrs X could not have complained to us sooner.

Westminster City Council (22 018 020)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 12-Mar-2024

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about delay in adding his business premises to the rating list. This is because the Valuation Office Agency is responsible for determining whether premises should be added to the list and there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council.

Westminster City Council (23 001 761)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Covid-19 24-Jan-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal of an Additional Restrictions Grant because there is not enough evidence of fault.

North Norfolk District Council (22 017 987)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 22-Jan-2024

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s decision to refuse his business a COVID-19 grant. There was no fault in the Council’s consideration of Mr X’s request for a COVID-19 business grant. The Council was at fault for delays responding to Mr X’s complaint, but its apology is sufficient remedy for any injustice.

Havant Borough Council (23 005 310)

Statement Not upheld Covid-19 01-Nov-2023

Summary: There was no fault by the Council, in its decision to refuse a discretionary test and trace support payment because the complainant’s average earnings were too high. We have therefore completed our investigation.

Bristol City Council (23 008 079)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Covid-19 31-Oct-2023

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a COVID-19 business grant paid in 2020. This is because the complaint is late and we cannot achieve any worthwhile outcome for Mr X by investigating the matter now.

Dartford Borough Council (23 005 829)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Covid-19 20-Aug-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about alleged incorrect planning advice. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. The complaint is late, and we have seen no reason to investigate the concerns raised now.

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (23 004 990)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Covid-19 06-Aug-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about COVID-19-related business grants. Much of the complaint is late, without good reason to accept it now. It is more appropriate for the courts to decide whether Mrs X should receive the compensation she seeks.