Case Ref: 24 004 379 Category: Benefits and tax Sub Category: Council tax

• The Council agreed to review its process for when someone wishes to close their council taxaccount. The Council should ensure it checks for any other outstanding amountsowed by the person and provides them with accurate information about how muchthey owe.
• The Council agreed to remind staff responsible for responding to complaints about council tax that they should proportionately investigate the issues raised in the complaint, particularly where someone raises concerns about the Council's first response.

Case Ref: 23 004 296 Category: Housing Sub Category: Homelessness

• The Council will issue written reminders to relevant staff to ensure they aware of the Council’s legal duties to provide suitable interim accommodation. Staff should fully document any decisions they make on the suitability of interim accommodation and these decisions should be fully explained to applicants in the offer letters.

Case Ref: 23 003 455 Category: Housing Sub Category: Allocations

• The Council will amend its housing allocations policy to make it clearer which households are exempt from the seven-year residency criteria.

Case Ref: 22 006 085 Category: Environment and regulation Sub Category: Noise

• The council will remind its officers of the need to pursue its noise nuisance investigations in a timely way.

Case Ref: 21 018 829 Category: Housing Sub Category: Homelessness

• • Use this decision statement as an example for homelessness officers working with domestic abuse victims to improve their understanding of victim choice and agency.

Case Ref: 21 013 063 Category: Planning Sub Category: Planning applications

• The Council agreed to act to ensure future planning officer reports contain reasons for their recommendations.
• The Council agreed to review the information set out in the notification letter about representations to ensure the instructions are clearly explained, without the risk of causing confusion, and to warn failure to follow them risks representations not being considered.