London Borough of Hounslow (24 016 504)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 04-Mar-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about business rates liability. The matter is being considered by the courts.

Bristol City Council (24 009 694)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 28-Feb-2025

Summary: We have discontinued our investigation into Mrs C’s complaint about the way the Council dealt with her business rates account. This is because, the courts decided she owes the rates. So we will not investigate further.

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (24 012 650)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 25-Feb-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s handling of his business rates account and business rate liability. There is insufficient evidence of fault and the courts are better placed to consider a complaint about liability.

London Borough of Barking & Dagenham (24 016 883)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 19-Feb-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council allegedly misleading the complainant as to the amount he is liable to pay in respect of business rates. This is because the Council has issued a summons for the complainant to appear in a magistrates court over the issues raised and we have no legal jurisdiction to investigate in such circumstances.

London Borough of Croydon (24 014 681)

Statement Upheld Other 30-Jan-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s recovery of business rates because we have no jurisdiction to investigate a complaint subject to legal proceedings. We will not investigate other matters because doing so would not lead to a different outcome.

London Borough of Brent (24 012 685)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 27-Jan-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s failure to award him small business rates relief between 2021 and 2023. This is because the complaint is late and I have seen no good reasons to exercise my discretion to investigate it further. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s refusal to award him a COVID-19 business grant as there is not enough evidence of fault by the Council. The grant scheme has been closed for several years and Mr X did not qualify for it at the time.

West Lancashire Borough Council (24 013 581)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 16-Jan-2025

Summary: We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the business rates she pays. This is because the Council was granted a liability order by a magistrates’ court, and we have no jurisdiction to investigate a complaint which has been subject to legal proceedings. The complaint is also made late and there is no good reason to exercise discretion and consider it now.

Warrington Council (24 014 953)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 16-Jan-2025

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to reclaim a COVID-19 business grant. That is because it is a late complaint.

Maidstone Borough Council (24 016 022)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Other 13-Jan-2025

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax and the £150 energy payment. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

London Borough of Islington (23 013 997)

Statement Upheld Other 13-Jan-2025

Summary: Mr X complained about how the Council handled his business rates account, its recovery action, and its poor communication with him. There were some faults by the Council which caused injustice to Mr X. The Council will take action to remedy the injustice caused.