Council admit they are at fault but wont refund court costs - How to complain/refund?

BigCraigJohn

Council tax slightly in arrears a few months back due to paying slightly short every month.
Received first letter informing of this so pay the difference.
Missed another payment this time got final reminder saying we had lost the right to pay monthly and the full amount was now due.
Rang the council to pay the full years amount and was informed that despite the letter we could pay the arrears and then continue monthly which was better, I paid the arrears and augusts payments, was informed we were up to date and the next payment was due september 14th.
Last saturday received summons for remainder of year in addition to £85 costs.
Rang the council and they were brickwall solid, pay or it goes to court and baylifs will be used, I have paid the full amount + the £85 court fees as I dont really want the hassle however I intend on trying to get the fee back.
The woman on the phone advised me that the notes from the last call were "customer paid arrears as well as augusts installment, informed customer next installment due september 14th". But the woman on the phone just said I was miss informed and that there was nothing she could do as the final reminder had been issued before I rang.

I just wondered what is the best way of complaining?, this is a clear case of incompetence by the last call handler who should of accepted my full payment rather than advising me I could carry on installments. I had enough money to pay in full but was wrongly advised I didnt need to pay in full therefore causing me to be £85 out of pocket.

antrobus

BigCraigJohn wrote: »

...I just wondered what is the best way of complaining?....

Make a complaint against a local council or authority
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_4018266

John_Pierpoint

Overview

To make a complaint about your local council or local authority, you must first complain to the council concerned. If the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction, you can then go to the Local Government Ombudsman.
The link below will take you to a page where you can type in your postcode to find your local authority. You will then be taken to your local council's complaints page.


You have got to put all this in writing to the council and involve your councillor. Do everything recorded delivery or perhaps by email, if your council has a procedure that gives you an official "case" number automatically.



Then you have grounds to complain to the ombudsman.


You will probably be successful eventually, however you may find your hourly rate for complaining is less than the minimum wage.


It is a bit like trying to fight a parking ticket.


Do it for the rest of us:D

BigCraigJohn

Thanks all.
Its just so annoying that they even admitted they told me wrong yet it was still my fault.
Haha I see your point, its probably a lot of work but its the principal. Like the £35 charge that took 4 months to get back from Santander and I guess the more people that complain the more notice they take. And if theres a lot of work my end, there going to be someone getting paid to deal with my complaints so lets get something back, after all, all they seem to do is raise the rates while reducing the service. The thought of getting trod on is just too much for me to bare however small the amount.

Nosht

My local council, through Sheriff Officers, took (stole !!!!) £1400 from our Bank Account in unpaid Council Tax despite me pointing out to the Court, Bank & Council that the property was empty & was paid up to date.
I protested to both council & Sheriff Officers & was given the runaround, both saying that it was the other's problem & to complain to them. I could not complain to my local councillor as he is a friend ( & a plonker) & I did not want him to know my business.
About a year later we received a cheque in full payment back from the Sheriff Officers without a word of apology or even a compliments slip.
Complain, sue them, raise a Small Claims Action but at the end of the day you won't change the mindset of Local Authorities.

Regards,

N.