I contacted the Local Government Ombudsman (York office) earlier this year regarding a complaint against Chester Le Street council.
The complaint is as follows.
May 08 I handed in my council tax rebate form into Ch-Le-St council as I was on DSS benefit. They never replied. Sept 08 they took me to court for none payment of council tax. They also told the court I had not signed the form (I have proof I did) The court told the council to sort it out. 4 weeks later, Ch-Le-St council took back to court. Ms A. Crook from the council insisted that I was to be sent to prison. The court dismissed the case and told Ms Crook to sort out my benefit.
Nov 08 Ch-Le-St decided I would only get £3 per week rebate. I asked due to me still being on DSS benefit for Ch-Le-St council to take the arrears out of my benefit. They agreed at a rate of £3.05 pw. I also asked for my bill to be re-assessed under the Section 13a of the Local Government Finance Act. The person I spoke to said I could not have it even though she did not know what it was.
Feb 09 I contacted the Local Government Ombudsman and asked them to look into this matter.
May 09 Ch-Le-St council took me to court again for none payment of 08 council tax. I was never told about this until the bailiffs contacted me. I then contacted the Local Government Ombudsman again and the case was passed onto Mrs R McMeekin at the York office. I then received a letter from Ch-Le-St council to say they contacted the DSS in Feb 09 to take the £3.05 out of my benefit and was told I was not on benefit. The council have a system called R.A.T.S. were they can see what DSS benefit someone has. I myself contacted the DSS and was told they have no record of the council contacting them and my benefit was still being paid.
Mrs R. McMeekin then phoned me telling me this was my own entire fault and the council has done nothing wrong. She then said she knew the Section 13a of the Local Government Finance Act inside out and what makes me think it applies to me. When I told her, she put the phone down.
I then sent her a copy of the act and amongst other documents that the council had lied, proof that I had signed my rebate form. A few days later, Mrs R McMeekin wrote to me saying that it was my fault and I should have applied for a review ( I did under Section 13a of the Local Government Finance Act) She would not comment on the council’s actions and said she will not get involved.
The Local Government Ombudsman is supposed to look into problems like mine and investigate them. But, doing some research, I have found that the Local Government Ombudsman seem to side with the councils. The Local Government Ombudsman is supposed to be neutral in matters they investigate, but Mrs R. McMeekin clearly is not.
N Donnelly