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.

London Borough of Lambeth (24 002 469)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint the Council wrongly pursued Mrs X for unpaid council tax. Further investigation would not lead to a different outcome. The Council has written off any court costs and any outstanding amount. Further inv

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (24 002 731)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s assessment of council tax support and discretionary housing payments to Mr X. It was reasonable for Mr X to appeal against the council tax support decision to the valuation Tribunal. There is no fault in the Council informing him that he is ineligible for discretionary housing payment.

West Northamptonshire Council (24 003 017)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s recovery of unpaid council tax by taking action in the magistrates court and involving enforcement agents. The matter has been subject to court proceedings and the Ombudsman has no jurisdiction to investigate.

West Northamptonshire Council (23 016 022)

Summary: We have discontinued our investigation of this complaint, about the misallocation of a council tax payment and its consequences. This is because we do not consider the complainant suffered a significant injustice as a result.

Guildford Borough Council (24 004 195)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax premiums as there is a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal or challenge by Judicial Review.

West Northamptonshire Council (24 004 722)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about liability for a Council tax premium because there is a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.

London Borough of Sutton (24 004 742)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Business rates liability as this is a matter for the courts.

Newcastle upon Tyne City Council (24 002 904)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council handled the complainant’s council tax. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and the Council has provided a fair remedy for some faults that did occur.

Chesterfield Borough Council (24 004 147)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about alleged rudeness by a Council officer as the injustice would not warrant investigation.

London Borough of Ealing (24 004 281)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax liability and enforcement as there is a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal and there is no evidence of fault in the Council’s enforcement of the debt.

Liverpool City Council (24 004 539)

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Liability Order because the matter has been remedied.