New benefits and taxation decisions

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.

Durham County Council (21 005 240)

Summary: Mr X complained the Council handled his application for council tax reduction poorly, causing him distress. We found the Council at fault in the way it communicated on Mr X’s application. We recommend the Council apologise to Mr X and review the communication it sends out to council tax reduction applicants.

London Borough of Croydon (21 005 990)

Summary: Miss X complained about the Council’s decision to refuse a Small Business Grant resulting in the loss of this grant and a discretionary grant. We found fault in the Council’s handling of Miss X’s grant application. We recommended the Council provide Miss X with an apology, payment for time and trouble, and a payment of £10,000, equal to the missed grant. We also recommended it take action to prevent recurrence of the identified fault.

London Borough of Barnet (21 011 701)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council increasing the complainant’s repayments for a benefit overpayment without discussing the increase in advance. This is because the Council has provided a fair response and there is not enough injustice to require an investigation.

Basildon Borough Council (21 011 973)

Summary: Mr X complains about liability and exemptions for council tax. We will not investigate this complaint because there is a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.

North Northamptonshire Council (21 012 096)

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to stop his council tax discount and delay in reinstating. Mr X had a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal and the Council has now dealt with the matter.

Manchester City Council (21 012 288)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council delayed billing the complainant for council tax. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

Sunderland City Council (21 012 373)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the council tax empty homes premium. This is because the complainant could have appealed to the Valuation Tribunal and because the problem has been resolved.

Halton Borough Council (21 012 441)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of a council tax account as it is unlikely we can add to what the Council has already said and there is insufficient remaining injustice caused to the complainant to warrant our involvement.