Council tax staff.
 

I've just returned from the Town Hall's Council tax office. They had reassesed what I have to pay, and told me I owed a worrying amount to them. I knew they had miscalculated by weekly income, but it was still very worrying.

I'd just like to praise the staff for the friendly and efficent way the dealt with my query. Everytime I've had to go in, the staff have been helpful and friendly.

My problem was sorted, and I know mistakes do happen, but in an age when customer service is lacking in lots of places, I'd just like to note my satisfaction with the staff who work in Accrington Town Hall's Council tax office.

We are all quick to jump on poor customer service, myself included, I think people that do their job well should also receive attention.

Re: Council tax staff.
 

Maybe there is a glimmer of hope at the council even if its in an unlikley place. :)

Re: Council tax staff.
 

Ive paid council tax in Lambeth, Wandsworth and Glasgow, and have to deal with some real numpies. I'm really happy to say that we in Accy have the best staff.

Re: Council tax staff.
 

Re: Council tax staff.
 

Didnt think anyone paid council tax in Weegieville. :confused:

Re: Council tax staff.
 

They did make a total mess of what I have to pay. The bill was so large that anyone of a nervous disposition would have been really frightened.

They did admit their mistake, that aside I've had to go in three or four times and have seen different people, all of whom have been friendly and helpful.

Re: Council tax staff.
 

Are you sure they were HBC employees? They must have set one hell of a New Years Resolution as there normal response is they dont make mistakes and any mistakes is down to the computer.

Re: Council tax staff.
 

What a refreshing change…….:)

I have dealt with local council staff, officers and officials in Accrington over recent months and always found them to pleasant, understanding and helpful throughout.

Re: Council tax staff.
 

No they definetly worked for HBC.

They said they were sorry, they had made a mistake regarding my private pension, and it would be rectified.

Re: Council tax staff.
 

By the way I didn't start this thread out of relief that my problem was resolved, everytime I've had to go in they have always been helpful and friendly.

Re: Council tax staff.
 

I must be dealing with a parallel Council. They have been messing about with my bill for the last seven months. I came home this afternoon to yet another demand, delivered eight days after it was written and five days after it was due for payment, they still can't get it right, and not one word of either apology, explanation or understanding! It's like trying to reason with the clinically brain-dead.

Re: Council tax staff.
 

I always find it is good to treat people how you would like to be treated. From your post's A-B I suspect they are dealing with you in the maner you deal with them.

Re: Council tax staff.
 

Being of a naturally sunny disposition, I hope it's not just me that gets friendly service.:D

Re: Council tax staff.
 

I rang up HBC last week (the housing and rents section) to ask how much my rent was a week. The woman on the telephone asked me for my reference number which i gave. Her answer to my question "How much rent do i have to pay a week on my council flat" was .......

"I dont know"

Then i asked if they could send me a payment card for the post office, her reply was ......

"Thats down to your landlord to supply, who is your landlord"


doh doh doh doh doh !!!!!!!!!! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I thought she was taking the pee ! Look out Chantelle, ive spoken to your twin ! :D :D :D

Re: Council tax staff.
 

I thought HBC did not have any properties anymore and they were transfered to the housing association Hyndburn Homes.

Re: Council tax staff.
 

The vote has gone through for Contour Housing to take over but this does not take effect untill approx April. They will then be known as Hyndburn Homes.
Also i would imagine that seeing as the council are paying my rent, it would be on her pc screen who my landlord is ??? maybe ??? lol.:)

Re: Council tax staff.
 

I thought that the DSS or whatever they call themselves now would have paid your rent not HBC. So you are saying that HBC pays rent to HBC for your home. I am confused :confused:

Re: Council tax staff.
 

In a nutshell ..yes !
When you are on benefits, you apply to HBC for housing and council tax benefits. So in a sence they are paying themselves from one department to the other.

Re: Council tax staff.
 

No doubt two sets of people in two departments passing funds from one to the other!

Re: Council tax staff.
 

Do the Council not handle benefits for some other agency or does council tax benefit come out of HBC's coffers?

Re: Council tax staff.
 

I don't know, we need someone in the know to answer these questions!

Re: Council tax staff.
 

Phone call made and questions asked.
Council Tax and Housing Benefits are handled by HBC but the actual money comes from the Government not HBC. So in effect HBC is paying HBC with Government money.

Re: Council tax staff.
 

So are we talking about two departments handling the same money here - with money coming from the government into one department and then out to another?

Re: Council tax staff.
 

ish yes I think ( see I agreed with you :D ). When housing benefit is being paid to a private landlord then it is different, soon all HBC will in effect be privately owned when Hyndburn Homes take over. I suppose HBC are acting as agents for the Government. I was discussing it with someone at the Ribble Valley but it must be the same.

Re: Council tax staff.
 

See...told ya !
Money goes from one department to the other. :D :D :D