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.

Luton Borough Council (23 011 476)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s management of her council tax account dating back to 2016. This is because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons to investigate now.

Leeds City Council (23 011 976)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s alleged failure to collect Mr X’s council tax payments for several months. This is because an investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

Waverley Borough Council (23 009 853)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the conduct of a Council officer during a court hearing. This is because we are prohibited from investigating matters arising from court proceedings.

London Borough of Barnet (23 011 354)

Summary: We will not investigate this late complaint about how the Council calculated Mr X’s council tax. It was reasonable for him to complain to us in 2021 when the Council signposted him to the Ombudsman.

Westminster City Council (23 010 759)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s pursuit of Mr X for unpaid council tax. This is because the Council has put forward a reasonable remedy during our consideration of this complaint.

Lewes District Council (23 012 351)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an administrative error during a housing benefit appeal. This is because Mr X has appealed to the tribunal who can consider any injustice caused as part of proceedings.

London Borough of Newham (23 008 136)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax because the matter is out of time and there is no evidence of fault by the Council.

Manchester City Council (23 009 616)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mr X’s complaint about liability for council tax. This is because we are unlikely to be able to add to the Council’s response. And also because liability disputes are best dealt with appeals to the Valuation Tribunal, and it is reasonable to expect Mr X to appeal.

Preston City Council (23 011 162)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about payments of Business rates.