council tax recalculation

cherry_o'neal

Oh no! disaster! my local CAb has been closed due to lack of funding, they had been helping me with a problem of requiring a new recalculated council tax bill.


I was getting just single person discount but now after comparing with a neighbour I realised I could get other reductions for disability. In short I can get:- council tax discount scheme, disability reduction scheme, council tax reduction scheme and of course single person discount all CONCURRENTLY. which was a pleasant surprise for me.


The cab were so helpful, their advice and finding things out for me which even went over the allocated time slot (of I think 20 min per person once you first secure your appointment) very dedicated and kind lady.


Anyway I have sent my request to the local council for a new recalculated bill which will now be considerably less. I was instructed to send my letter of request with proof of benefit received (PIP and ESA) and recommended to send it trackable costing £1.75, incase the letter may become lost. This was 2 months ago I have had to resend the letter twice now, each has been signed for and I printed off the information of who signed and when. I was told this was more accountable than an email request, as they can go missing.


I am not getting any reply, and also the council customer point is now changed to just computer queries.


I need to escalate my request now to somebody further up, but not sure how to do this and have actually been cut off by telephone 3 times now, so this is not an option either.


Has anybody found themselves in a similar situation?

DomRavioli

Call them and speak to a manager. Sometimes places have issues with phones (which may be why you are being "cut off") and it could also be if you're calling on a mobile due to signal.

You need to escalate it using their procedures. If you look on their website you will be able to find out what you need to do to escalate this.

[Deleted User]

See if one of your local councillors will step in and help...there should be 3 of them and one of them should help.
If not contact your MP its amazing how one phone call from an MP can focus minds of officials.

cherry_o'neal

thanks for replies. The councils website does not have the option to do what I need to do.


I now am amazed that both letters signed for by the same person (at council) has different squiggles for a signature,( like a five year old,) and both letters have been ignored, because now a letter came from this same department threatening magistrates court, fines, and prison if I don't pay...


I am going to have to contact my M. P.

cherry_o'neal

Quick update, Finally after involving my MP I have had my council tax recalculated, however there was denial in ever receiving my letters (signed for I might add,) luckily I was able to print off proof of this. Its a case of doing a lot of research making several copies especially of proof as these have a tendency to 'accidentally' go missing. how right you were venison, the involvement of an Mp certainly did focus their minds...thanks for that.