Hi,

Local authority is pursuing a disputed sum from 2014-15 council tax period.

Having refused a monthly offer of £5 monthly while I was still on Universal Credit the council got straight in touch with UC to make monthly deductions for the amount that it wanted (which UC later granted).

LA contacted UC on the same day that it refused my offer / same day that it dismissed my formal complaint about LA's handling of the matter.

I think the LA may managed to make the direct UC deductions on the basis of false info that I was struggling with current ctax payments

- not the case

- it was a disputed old bill.

I made an SAR for documents including all written correspondence to any body/individual regarding my bill account.

The LA hasn't provided a copy/record of the request it made to UC.

It just gave a one line internal memo stating the date on which the communication was made to UC.

(There is also only one letter from a collection agency in the info pack,

there must have been more letters over course of several years including a couple of court summons).

Does anyone know if the LA in breach of data request legislation by not providing its communication to UC?

How can I get the info?

More important, LA won't seem to allow me to try to make the case for why I'm disputing the amount.

How can I get it to listen and do a proper review?

Thanks

for the last part first, if they have followed the laid down procedure then that is all they are obliged to do. You should get the information that you didn't get via the SAR by complaining to the Chief Exec of the council and then if no joy take the matter to the local govt ombudsman. They have the powers to determine fairness and proportionality

Thanks for reply. I did ask them for copies of any communications (written, memos notes on conversations etc) that they made to any other body about my account. Am surprised they only sent a copy of a letter recently sent to them by a collection agency. I wanted to see what they wrote to other agencies about my account, are they obliged to send that to me?

Thanks again.

(I will pursue it with ombudsman but would like to see that piece of info first)

sorry, ignore previous. I will raise it with chief exec.

Thank you.

The LA hasn't provided a copy/record of the request it made to UC.

DWP will not initiate the attachment of benefit order without the correct request being made - they'll bounce the request back if the details aren't as required.

I think the LA may managed to make the direct UC deductions on the basis of false info that I was struggling with current ctax payments

- not the case

- it was a disputed old bill.

That is immaterial to the attachment of benefit order being issued - once the council have the liability order they can issue the attachment of benefit order to DWP. They don't need your agreement to do so as the liability order allows them to recover the monies. Whether your are disputing the debt or not is not a relevant matter to them issuing it nor is whether you are struggling with payments.