Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate this complaint about the way the Council assesses self-employed income for its council tax reduction scheme. This is because the complainant has appealed to the Valuation Tribunal and because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council
Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr A’s complaint about the Council’s administration of small business rates relief. That is because we would not be able to achieve the outcome he is seeking by investigating his complaint.
Summary: Ms B complains about the Council’s decision to remove the council tax single person discount she had been receiving and to backdate its removal to 2009. The Ombudsman cannot investigate the complaint because Ms B appealed to the Valuation Tribunal against the decision and, having done so, the complaint falls outside our jurisdiction.
Summary: Mr X complains that the Council has incorrectly billed him for both council tax and business rates. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because the alleged fault is against the Valuation Office Agency, a body out of the Local Government Ombudsman’s jurisdiction. The business rates decision can be disputed in court.
Summary: Mr X says the Council is at fault in how it has handled his council tax account for the period between 2015 and 2017. The Ombudsman has not found evidence of fault by the Council in the matters he has investigated and so he has ended his investigation of this complaint.
Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s enforcement agents refusing to accept a payment instalment and proceeding with enforcement against him resulting in a higher debt. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.
Summary: Mr X complains about a council tax bill he received which he disputes. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because he had a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.
Summary: Ms X complained about the Council’s handling of her Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claims. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because Ms X has a right of appeal to a Tribunal for both parts of her claim.
Summary: Mr X complains that the Council has failed to process his housing benefit appeal properly. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because there is no evidence of fault and he has a right of appeal to a tribunal.
Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s request for information about the new owner of his property for council tax purposes. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint because he took the Council to court and he had a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal about liability.
We look at individual complaints about local public services and all registerable social care providers in England.
We remedy injustice and share learning from investigations to improve services. When we find a council or care provider has done something wrong, we recommend how it should put it right. We are free to use and make our decisions independently.
