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.

Slough Borough Council (23 015 053)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mr X’s council tax arrears. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating.

London Borough of Bromley (23 011 245)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council considered a request for a payment arrangement to settle council tax arrears. This is because we do not consider the complainant has suffered an injustice which can be attributed to actions or inactions of the Council.

London Borough of Croydon (23 014 542)

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council seeking recovery of council tax arrears which the complainant denies being responsible for. This is because it concerns matters which have been subject to liability order proceedings in the magistrates’ court. We have no legal jurisdiction to investigate in these circumstances.

Torbay Council (23 017 680)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to award council tax support between 2018 and 2022. This is because the complaint is made late, and the Valuation Tribunal is the appropriate body to consider the matter.

Middlesbrough Borough Council (23 014 729)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s recovery of unpaid business rates through court action. We have no jurisdiction not investigate matters which have been subject to court proceedings.

Middlesbrough Borough Council (23 015 017)

Summary: We will not investigate Ms Y’s complaint about the Council’s decision to pursue her daughter Ms X for unpaid council tax. This is because Ms X has right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal and it would be reasonable for her to use it.

Durham County Council (23 014 421)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s collection of council tax payments. There is insufficient evidence of any significant injustice which would warrant an investigation.

Manchester City Council (23 014 925)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to pass Miss X’s council tax debt to an enforcement agency. This is because an investigation would be unlikely to find fault with the Council’s actions.

Burnley Borough Council (23 015 089)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council charged council tax for a period after the complainant left a property. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and because the complainant could have appealed to the Valuation Tribunal. In addition, we cannot achieve the outcome the complainant would like.

London Borough of Barnet (23 016 395)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council is wrongly billing a man for council tax. This is because the man has or had a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal about the tax liability issues, and it is reasonable to expect him to have used that right.

South Gloucestershire Council (23 011 533)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling and administration of business rates for a site Mr X occupied. This is because an investigation would not lead to any different findings or worthwhile outcomes.

Westminster City Council (23 015 057)

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about council tax liability. This is because there is a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal and it is reasonable for Mr X to use it.

Forest of Dean District Council (23 015 111)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an increase in the complainant’s council tax instalments. This is because the Council has provided a fair response to the complaint.