London Borough of Waltham Forest (23 009 464)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 21-Oct-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council taking recovery action for unpaid business rates owing from 2011. The debt was subject to a liability order obtained in the courts and we have no authority to investigate matters subject to court proceedings.

Leicester City Council (23 008 454)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 15-Oct-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s recovery of unpaid business rates from 2016. The Council obtained liability orders against Mr X in the magistrates court and we have no jurisdiction not investigate matters which have been subject to court proceedings.

Stafford Borough Council (23 001 162)

Statement Upheld Other 12-Oct-2023

Summary: There was no fault in the how the Council decided Mr X’s council tax and business rates liabilities. It billed him in line with the information it had from the Valuation Office Agency. Nor was there any fault in how it decided Mr X was not eligible for small business rate relief. The Council properly considered information it had available to it. There was fault in delaying a payment and not accounting for another payment Mr X was due. There was also fault in the delay in reviewing Mr X’s small business rates relief and these faults caused Mr X an injustice. The Council have already apologised and has agreed to carry out my recommendations to fully recognise Mr X’s injustice.

Nottingham City Council (23 008 795)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 09-Oct-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Business rates payments because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (23 007 304)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 26-Sep-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to refuse a business grant which has led to financial loss and being pursued for unpaid council tax. This is because the complaint is made late, and I see no good reason why it could not have been made sooner.

London Borough of Barnet (22 004 847)

Statement Not upheld Other 19-Sep-2023

Summary: Mr X complained the Council has not properly considered whether it should award him relief on the business rates he owes. The Council are not at fault. It applied business rates exemptions where appropriate and explained its reasons when it refused.

London Borough of Enfield (23 007 450)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 18-Sep-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Business rates because there is no evidence of fault by the Council and he has appealed to the Valuation Office Agency (Valuation Office Agency).

London Borough of Camden (23 000 667)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 03-Sep-2023

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Business Rates charged for a property which Mr X says is a residential property. This is because a decision to list a property as either business or residential is made by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), not the Council. The Council has issued a bill in accordance with the VOA’s decision and there is not enough evidence of fault in its actions.

Warrington Council (23 003 052)

Statement Upheld Other 29-Aug-2023

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council failed to give due regard to her disability during an appointment she held with it. We have concluded our investigation having made a finding of fault. Although the Council acknowledged the appointment held was not conducive of disclosures made by Mrs X, apologised and arranged appropriate training for its staff, this was not sufficient in remedying the injustice caused to Mrs X. The Council have agreed to our recommendations.

North Norfolk District Council (23 002 074)

Statement Not upheld Other 16-Aug-2023

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council incorrectly charged business rates for her business premises and failed to make a refund to her. We will not investigate the amount of business rates payable for Mrs X’s business premises as this is set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), rather than any decision by the Council. The Council has now refunded the business rates Mrs X paid, and we have decided to discontinue our investigation as further investigation is unlikely to lead to a different outcome.