Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council (25 018 216)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 24-Jun-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the date used by the Council to calculate Mrs X’s business rates liability. This is because the injustice Mrs X claims stems from the Valuation Office Agency’s decision rather than any action by the Council. If Mrs X disagrees with this decision she may appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

Oxford City Council (25 021 901)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 22-Jun-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mr X’s business rates accounts. This is because it is unlikely investigation would achieve any worthwhile outcome for Mr X. The Council has already taken the accounts back to an earlier stage and apologised to Mr X and we cannot say it must agree to waive any further business rates it may decide are due at a later date.

Hart District Council (25 003 805)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 21-Jun-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council handled a business rates account. This is because further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

Cheltenham Borough Council (25 023 148)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 17-Jun-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council conducted a Business Improvement District renewal ballot. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault in how the Council made its decision to justify investigating.

London Borough of Hillingdon (25 023 576)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 14-Jun-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about liability of business rates and the Council’s decision to take enforcement action. This is because part of the complaint is late, and there is insufficient evidence of fault in the Council’s actions.

Preston City Council (25 022 327)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 20-May-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s recovery action in relation to Ms X’s council tax arrears. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify our involvement.

North Yorkshire Council (25 007 216)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 18-May-2026

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of business rates. This is because part of the complaint is late, there is another body better placed to consider part of the complaint, and it has been considered by a court.

South Gloucestershire Council (25 011 645)

Statement Not upheld Other 17-May-2026

Summary: Mr X complained the Council wrongly pursued his company for business rates after it had assigned the lease of the premises to another business. He said the Council sent correspondence to the wrong address, so the company did not know about the outstanding balance until enforcement agents became involved. We have not found fault in the Council’s administrative handling of the address it used for the bill, reminder and summons. The evidence shows the Council sent those notices to the correspondence address it had been given for the account.

London Borough of Lewisham (25 004 650)

Statement Not upheld Other 14-May-2026

Summary: We have ended our investigation into whether Miss X is liable for business rates. The Ombudsman cannot alter the business rating list or decide on Miss X’s liability. We cannot achieve the outcome Miss X wants. The Valuation Office Agency is responsible for updating the business rating list. We cannot investigate the actions of the Valuation Office Agency.

Cherwell District Council (25 018 210)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 04-May-2026

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council responded to questions about Business Rates. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating.