IRRV Alert - week ending 14th February 2020
News
Reports
New benefits and taxation decisions
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A weekly update on benefits and taxation decisions |
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London Borough of Redbridge (19 003 964)
Summary: Mr C complains about the way the Council billed and sought to recover business rates including a delay in the refund process which he says caused him unnecessary time, trouble and distress. The Ombudsman has found fault by the Council but considers the agreed actions of £300 and some service improvements are enough to provide a suitably remedy. Birmingham City Council (19 006 340)
Summary: Mr X complained the Council took money from his earnings to repay council tax it said he owed on a property he had moved away from. The Council, having now considered Mr X’s evidence of moving away has repaid him. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint further as it is unlikely further investigation will lead to a different outcome. London Borough of Islington (19 008 044)
Summary: Ms X complains that the Council wrongly stopped her housing benefit and council tax support and sought to recover a large overpayment of benefit from her. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because the Council remedied the matter by restoring her benefit and offering a reasonable sum of compensation. Stoke-on-Trent City Council (19 009 722)
Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council collected council tax arrears. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (19 008 803)
Summary: Mr X complains that the Council sent him a council tax bill for a property he owns despite having told him the property was exempt. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault by the Council. London Borough of Ealing (19 009 552)
Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this housing benefit complaint because the Council has awarded some extra benefit to the complainant and the problem has been resolved. Newcastle upon Tyne City Council (19 009 823)
Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about an overpayment of housing benefit. This is because it was reasonable for Mr X to use his right of appeal to the tribunal. Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council (19 010 383)
Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s decision to refuse a housing benefit claim. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because the matter was appealed to a tribunal. Birmingham City Council (18 017 200)
Summary: The Council is at fault for wrongly sending a council tax case to Enforcement Agents. It is also at fault for not properly considering if the complainant was vulnerable or if she needed reasonable adjustments. It also failed to properly investigate complaints made to it and the Agents. The Agents threatened action they could not take. The Council caused significant and unnecessary time, trouble and distress to the disabled complaint. To put this right the Council will apologise and pay the complainant £1,400. It will also take action to prevent this happening again. Bristol City Council (19 007 919)
Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council set up the complainant’s council tax. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault and injustice. Brighton & Hove City Council (19 008 695)
Summary: We will not investigate Miss Q’s complaint about the Council’s handling of her council tax support. This is because she may appeal to the Valuation Tribunal if the Council does not respond to her request for a review of its decisions. Luton Borough Council (19 008 968)
Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about council tax liability as it is reasonable to expect her to appeal against the Council’s decision to the Valuation Tribunal. Durham County Council (19 009 578)
Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to give a settlement grant to the complainant to help him move into a new home. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council. London Borough of Enfield (19 010 246)
Summary: Mrs X complains that the Council has failed to exempt a property from council tax following probate. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because this can be appealed to a Valuation Tribunal.
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