Summary: Mrs Y complained on behalf of Mr X about the Council’s decision to refuse Mr X a business grant, causing him stress, time and trouble and financial loss. We found no fault in the Council’s decision making however we found fault in the way it communicated with Mr X. We recommended the Council provide an apology, payment for distress and acted to prevent recurrence.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the council tax empty homes premium. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Summary: Mr X complained the Council failed to clearly explain what council tax he owed and sent confusing bills and a summons without a reminder. The Council was at fault for sending Mr X three different bills on one day. It has already apologised for this. The Council has clearly explained to Mr X how it calculated the council tax he owed and has withdrawn the summons. This was an appropriate remedy for any injustice caused to Mr X.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council collected the final council tax due on a property the complainants were selling. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault and injustice to warrant an investigation.

Summary: Ms X disputes her council tax liability. We will not investigate this complaint because this can be appealed to a Valuation Tribunal.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about increased council tax payments as the matter has now been resolved.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a letter the Council sent to the complainant in error about her housing benefit. This is because the Council has provided a fair and proportionate response.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of the business Restart Grant available due to COVID-19. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a council tax discount because it would be reasonable for Mr Y to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal against any council tax demand he disagrees with.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council not giving Miss X a self-isolation support payment. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault in the Council’s actions. Also, further investigation is unlikely to lead to a different outcome.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council pursuing the complainant for an alleged housing benefit overpayment. This is because we do not usually investigate complaints when a complainant could have appealed to a tribunal. We also do not usually look into complaints about events that took place more than 12 months ago when the complainant ought reasonably to have been aware they had a reason to complain.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax. This is because we cannot investigate a matter previously decided by a court and where we are unable to investigate the substantive matter, it is not a good use of public resources to investigate a complaint about complaint handling.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax arrears from 2015. This is because it is a late complaint and because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council handled the complainant’s council tax. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault and injustice.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council recovered a housing benefit overpayment. This is because the problem has been resolved and there is nothing more we could achieve.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council wrongly refused his application for a COVID-19 business grant. This is because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.