London Borough of Islington (23 016 133)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 24-Feb-2024

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council taking court action for non- payment of business rates. We have no jurisdiction to investigate matters which have been subject to court proceedings.

Erewash Borough Council (23 014 352)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 21-Feb-2024

Summary: Mr X’s liability for business rates has been determined in court and so we have no remit to investigate. Much of Mr X’s complaint is also made late to us as he has not complained to us within a year of him knowing about the problem. We would expect Mr X to argue his case in court about the current charge the Council asks him to pay as the court is best placed to do so.

Reading Borough Council (23 011 550)

Statement Upheld Other 20-Feb-2024

Summary: Mr X complains the Council has not dealt properly with his Council Tax. The Council was at fault because its enforcement agents did not deal with Mr X appropriately. Mr X did not suffer any significant ongoing injustice as a result.

Tandridge District Council (23 017 730)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 20-Feb-2024

Summary: Mr X complains the Council lost his passport and national insurance card in 2017. We will not investigate as this complaint is caught by the time bar on our powers. And I see no good reasons Mr X could not have complained to us at the time.

London Borough of Bromley (23 007 769)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 20-Feb-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Business rates as the matter has been remedied and can be pursued to the Valuation Office Agency (a body out of jurisdiction).

Blackpool Borough Council (23 015 038)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 15-Feb-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Business Improvement District levy as liability was best decided by the court.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (23 015 370)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 14-Feb-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an alleged housing benefit overpayment. The complaint is late without good enough reason to investigate it now.

Middlesbrough Borough Council (23 014 729)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 04-Feb-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s recovery of unpaid business rates through court action. We have no jurisdiction not investigate matters which have been subject to court proceedings.

South Gloucestershire Council (23 011 533)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 31-Jan-2024

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling and administration of business rates for a site Mr X occupied. This is because an investigation would not lead to any different findings or worthwhile outcomes.

Birmingham City Council (23 009 090)

Statement Upheld Other 29-Jan-2024

Summary: Ms X complained the Council failed to award her the correct priority on its housing register. The Council was not at fault in deciding her priority. However, it failed to properly consider whether Ms X was homeless. Ms X also complained about the Council’s refusal of a discretionary housing payment. Based on information seen, there was fault in the way it considered this, and it failed to properly consider a request for reasonable adjustments when Ms X challenged its decision. The Council should apologise for the distress and uncertainty caused and take steps to prevent recurrence.