Corby Borough Council (20 001 807)

Statement Upheld Council tax 27-Apr-2021

Summary: Ms X complained the Council applied Council Tax to an annex on her house despite the annex being exempt. Ms X complained the Council sent the Council Tax charges to debt collection agencies causing additional debt collection charges. The Council has admitted fault for charging Council Tax and has refunded Ms X the overpayments she made. The Ombudsman found the Council was at fault for charging council tax despite having the relevant information to know the property was exempt and the subsequent debt collection activity. The Council agreed to the Ombudsman recommendations to refunds any debt collection charges and provide Ms X with an apology and £900 for the avoidable distress, frustration and financial hardship it caused.

Corby Borough Council (20 013 903)

Statement Upheld Covid-19 04-Nov-2021

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council wrongly refused her a business grant, withdrew a business rates credit in error and handled her complaints poorly. She said she suffered financial loss, distress, time and trouble. We found the Council at fault. We recommended the Council provide Mrs X with an apology, £150 for time and trouble, £150 for distress, £10,000 for the missed grant and act to prevent recurrence.