IRRV Alert - week ending 24th June 2022
News
Consultations
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. Bury Metropolitan Borough Council (22 000 762)
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Mr X’s council tax support from 2018 to 2020. This is because he could have used his appeal rights and because it is a late complaint. London Borough of Southwark (21 000 001)
Summary: Mr B complained that the Council refused his applications for discretionary housing payments (DHPs) for help with housing costs and for a deposit on a flat. We found no grounds to question the Council’s decision in relation to Mr B’s applications for DHPs for help with rent but the Council was at fault in refusing his application for a DHP for a deposit on the grounds that the property was outside its area. In recognition of the injustice caused by this, the Council has agreed to apologise to Mr B and review its decision. Maldon District Council (21 010 580)
Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about how the Council has handled her council tax account. We cannot achieve anything by investigating. Mrs X could have reasonably appealed decisions on council tax entitlement to the Valuation Tribunal. London Borough of Croydon (21 015 894)
Summary: Mr X complains the Council unfairly added enforcement agent fees for council tax arrears when it knew he had changed address. The Council has agreed to remove the agent’s visit charges. Northumberland County Council (22 000 301)
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about housing benefit overpayments and the Council’s decision not to award compensation. This is because the complainant appealed to the tribunal and could have appealed about another overpayment. In addition, part of the complaint is late. London Borough of Waltham Forest (22 001 323)
Summary: Ms X complains that Council delays led to an increased Council tax bill. We will not investigate this complaint because she could appeal to a Valuation Tribunal. Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council (22 001 535)
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about entitlement to council tax reduction because he appealed to a Valuation Tribunal. London Borough of Barnet (22 000 305)
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to recover a Housing Benefit overpayment as there is no evidence of fault in the way it was made. Oadby & Wigston Borough Council (22 001 056)
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a failed council tax direct debit. This is because the Council has provided a fair response and there is not enough remaining injustice to require an investigation. Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council (21 004 926)
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision not to award him a COVID-19 business grant. While one reason for its refusal appears flawed we cannot question the Council’s decision that Mr X did not meet the criteria for the grant. Any fault did not therefore cause Mr X significant injustice. West Northamptonshire Council (21 011 872)
Summary: Mr N complains about the Council not providing calculations of his council tax reduction awards. He also complains about the Council’s decision on one of those awards. We uphold the complaint about the calculations. But we have not looked at the substantive issue about the decision. That is because it is a reasonable expectation for Mr N to appeal that decision. London Borough of Haringey (22 000 176)
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to remove Ms X’s single person council tax discount. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault and Ms X has not been caused a significant injustice. London Borough of Islington (22 000 405)
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of an application for a COVID-19-related business grant. There is not enough evidence of fault by the Council. London Borough of Ealing (21 005 104)
Summary: Mr X complained the Council have not applied deductions to his council tax arrears that it should have. Mr X also complains about how the Council processed his council tax account and application for Council Tax Support Discretionary Discount. Based on the information available, I have found fault in how the Council responded to Mr X’s application. The Council have agreed to our recommendations.
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