IRRV Alert - week ending 15th October 2021
Information Letters
Headline
News
Reports
New benefits and taxation decisions
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A weekly update on benefits and taxation decisions |
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Please note: our decisions are published six weeks after they are issued to councils, care providers and the person who has made the complaint. The cases below reflect the caselaw and guidance available at the time of issue and the individual circumstances of each case. Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (20 012 385)
Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s decision to refuse his application for a business grant. He said the decision badly affected him because he was struggling to run his business during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ombudsman found there was no fault in the Council’s decision-making process. Birmingham City Council (20 008 765)
Summary: Ms X complains about how the Council has dealt with her Council Tax account. The Council is at fault as it delayed in sending a Council Tax bill to Ms X setting out her arrears at her former property, delaying in clarifying that her arrears related to her former property when she contacted the Council, failed to follow its vulnerability guidelines and delayed in correctly calculating her eligibility for Council Tax Support. These faults caused distress and avoidable time and trouble to Ms X which the Council has agreed to remedy. Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council (20 011 767)
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with the complainant’s council tax account. This is because it is unlikely we could add anything to the Council’s response. If the complainant disagrees with how the Council has calculated her council tax liability she can appeal to the Valuation Office Agency. Lincoln City Council (20 011 966)
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax payments taken while Mr Y was bankrupt. This is because it is late, with no good reason to investigate it now and Mr Y has a right to challenge his liability for council tax to the Valuation Tribunal. Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (21 002 523)
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax issues relating to a property rented out by the complainant. The complainant can appeal to a tribunal about any decision on her council tax liability. There is no evidence of fault in how the Council notified the complainant of a court hearing. Birmingham City Council (20 005 592)
Summary: Mr X complains the Council gave him poor advice about his claim for benefit. The Ombudsman does not find fault with the Council for how it handled Mr X’s change in circumstances and benefits application. The Ombudsman does not find fault with how the Council signposted Mr X to Universal Credit services. Rugby Borough Council (21 006 117)
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision that the complainant is not entitled to housing benefit. This is because there are review and appeal rights the complainant can use.
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