Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Council’s refusal to award her a COVID-19 business grant in 2020. This is because the complaint is late and it would have been reasonable for her to complain about it sooner. We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint that the Council has obtained liability orders for unpaid business rates for the period 2020 to 2023 because there is not enough evidence of fault. If Mrs X believes she does not owe the business rates or that the Council failed to follow the proper process she may wish to apply to the court to set aside the liability orders.

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s refusal to award him an energy rebate causing him distress and financial hardship. We fault in the way the Council considered Mr X’s entitlement to the energy rebate payment and gave him incorrect information about the scheme. The Council has offered a suitable remedy in this case. So we have completed our investigation.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s pursuit of Mr X for unpaid council tax. This is because Mr X had right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal and it would have been reasonable for him to use it. In addition, an investigation would be unlikely to find fault with the Council’s actions.

Summary: Mr S complained about the Council’s handling of his Council tax account. We have not found fault with the Council’s actions.

Summary: We did not find fault in the way the Council dealt with the complainant’s (Mr X) Council Tax. We did not find the Council had failed to take account of its duties under the Equality Act 2010.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint about the Council’s handling of his Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) application. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to warrant investigation.

Summary: The Council was at fault for delay dealing with Ms X’s application for council tax support. The Council was also at fault for failing to write to Ms X in large print despite two previous complaints to the Ombudsman. The Council has agreed to apologise, make a payment to Ms X, and act to improve its services.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s alleged failure to gain Mrs X’s agreement before putting a payment plan in place to recoup outstanding council tax. This is because an investigation would be unlikely to find fault with the Council’s actions.

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s decision that she is not entitled to receive council tax support to cover her full council tax liability. This is because Ms X has appeal rights to the Valuation Tribunal against the decision which places the complaint outside our jurisdiction.

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision that he is not eligible to receive council tax support. This is because Mr X has appeal rights to the Valuation Tribunal against the decision which places the complaint outside our jurisdiction.

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council taking recovery action in the courts for unpaid council tax. We cannot investigate complaints about matters which have been subject to court proceedings.

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council responded to a complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and we cannot obtain the outcome the complainant would like.