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.

Birmingham City Council (23 010 338)

Summary: Mr and Mrs X complain about the Council’s handling of their Council Tax account and the enforcement action taken in relation to arrears on the account. We will not investigate the complaint because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault by the Council sufficient to warrant an investigation.

St Albans City Council (23 012 698)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mr X’s Council Tax account. This is because there is no evidence to suggest fault by the Council sufficient to warrant an investigation.

Sheffield City Council (23 012 975)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to response to Mr X’s attempts to contact it regarding a summons. This is because an investigation would not provide Mr X with a different outcome.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council (23 013 047)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the council tax payable on an empty property. This is because Mr X has rights of appeal regarding his liability.

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council (23 013 086)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s pursuit of Ms X for an unpaid council tax bill. This is because the Council has already put forward a suitable remedy in line with our approach which addresses the injustice Ms X experienced.

Ipswich Borough Council (23 015 036)

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to hold him liable for business rates. This is because the matter has been to court.