A weekly update on benefits and taxation decisions

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.

Cheltenham Borough Council (21 003 838)

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s refusal to grant the Expanded Retail Discount and that it is demanding payment of the business rates in full when he has explained the business is experiencing significant financial difficulties. There is no evidence of fault in the Council’s decision not to award the Expanded Retail Discount. However, the Council was at fault for not providing Mr X with details of its hardship rate relief policy.

London Borough of Hounslow (21 005 259)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with cheques for council tax. The Council has taken enough action to put right any injustice that might have resulted from fault by the Council. We cannot investigate the decision to summons Mrs X and it would be disproportionate to investigate the Council’s handling of Mr X’s communications.

Bromsgrove District Council (21 007 603)

Summary: Mr X complained about the Councils management of his Council Tax account and its complaint handling causing him anxiety, frustration, time and trouble. We found the Council was at fault for how it managed Mr X’s Council Tax account and how it handled his complaint. We recommended the Council provide Mr X with an apology, pay him £200 and act to prevent recurrence.

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council (21 012 294)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the complainants liability for council tax. This is because the complainant can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

London Borough of Enfield (20 014 539)

Summary: We have discontinued this investigation into the Council billing for council tax on a property that was uninhabitable due to flood damage. This is because we could not achieve anything more by further investigation.

Manchester City Council (21 004 431)

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s decision to refuse her business grants causing her to struggle financially. We find no fault in the Council’s decision making.

Birmingham City Council (21 012 807)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax. This is because it is reasonable to expect Mr Y to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

Three Rivers District Council (21 005 130)

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council has failed to reply to a claim for costs arising from a housing benefit appeal to the Social Security Tribunal. We cannot lawfully investigate because Mr X has used his right of appeal.

East Staffordshire Borough Council (21 009 942)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax and council tax reduction because the problem has been resolved.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (21 010 469)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the level of ground rent eligible for housing benefit. This is because the Council is not responsible for setting the level of ground rent eligible for housing benefit claims. This is the responsibility of the Valuation Office Agency and the Rent Officer.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (21 010 796)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the level of ground rent eligible for housing benefit. This is because the Council is not responsible for setting the level of ground rent eligible for housing benefit claims. This is the responsibility of the Valuation Office Agency and the Rent Officer.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (21 010 797)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the level of ground rent eligible for housing benefit. This is because the Council is not responsible for setting the level of ground rent eligible for housing benefit claims. This is the responsibility of the Valuation Office Agency and the Rent Officer.

Woking Borough Council (21 011 610)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council has refused to pay compensation after it took higher council tax payments from the complainant’s bank account than it should have done. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council (21 012 301)

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s benefit decisions and his rent arrears. It is reasonable for Mr X to use or have used his rights of appeal to the benefit tribunals. We cannot investigate landlord decisions on rent arrears.

Rushcliffe Borough Council (21 012 764)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax liability. This is because it is reasonable to expect Mr Y to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

Warrington Council (21 003 467)

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s decision on her eligibility for a Restart Grant, causing her financial loss and distress. We found no fault in the Council’s decision making process.

London Borough of Barnet (21 010 952)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about repaying a housing benefit overpayment because there is insufficient evidence of injustice.

Tamworth Borough Council (21 011 547)

Summary: We will not investigate this council tax complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and insufficient evidence of injustice.

Trafford Council (21 011 619)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about delay in the Council notifying Mrs X of increased council tax liability as the remaining injustice to Mrs X is not sufficient to warrant our involvement and it is unlikely we can add to what the Council has already said.

Birmingham City Council (21 012 406)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax. This is because it is reasonable to expect Mr Y to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

London Borough of Barking & Dagenham (21 012 452)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about access to information and council tax liability. This is because there is another body better placed to deal with the complaint and Mr Y has a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal which it is reasonable for him to use.

East Hertfordshire District Council (20 008 066)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council decision to refuse small business grants. We have not seen evidence of fault in the Council’s decision-making process.