Investigation Report 200502508

  • Report no:
    200502508
  • Date:
    November 2006
  • Body:
    The Highland Council
  • Sector:
    Local Government

Overview

The complaint concerned the way in which the Highland Council (the Council) handled the complainant's Council Tax.

Specific complaints and conclusions

The complaints which have been investigated are that:

  • (a) the Council sent her confusing and contradictory correspondence (upheld);
  • (b) the Council refused her request to pay by equal instalments spread over 12months (not upheld);
  • (c) the complainant failed to receive an amended bill dated 25May 2005 nor a reminder notice dated 24August 2005 (not upheld);
  • (d) the complainant paid all the sums required of her but further payments were demanded (not upheld); and
  • (e) the Council still owe the complainant £314.91 (not upheld).

Redress and recommendation

The Ombudsman recommends that the Council make an apology to the complainant for the shortcomings identified, reinforced by a payment of £100.

The Council have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.

Updated: December 11, 2018