How to Appeal a Council Tax Reduction Decision in East Riding

When You Can Appeal

You can challenge a Council Tax Support decision if you believe East Riding of Yorkshire Council has made an error — for example, if they've placed your income in the wrong band, miscalculated a non-dependant deduction, failed to apply a disregard you're entitled to, or refused backdating without proper consideration of your evidence.

Appeals are about whether the council applied its own adopted scheme correctly. The appeal process cannot change the scheme rules themselves (that would require a judicial review in the High Court).

Step 1: Informal Query

Start by contacting the adjudication unit at [email protected]. An informal query asks the council to re-examine the calculation and can resolve straightforward errors quickly — a missed disregard, a non-dependant wrongly classified, an income figure entered from the wrong payslip.

An informal query does not stop the clock on formal appeal deadlines. If you think you may need to escalate, don't wait for the informal response before taking the next step.

Step 2: Formal Section 16 Written Grievance

To preserve your right to appeal to a tribunal, you must serve a formal written grievance under Section 16 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. This is the critical step that starts the formal process.

Your grievance must:

• Be in writing (email or post)
• State the precise grounds of dispute — exactly what the council got wrong
• Include supporting evidence (your income calculation, the disregards that should have applied, the correct non-dependant status)
• Be sent to the adjudication unit or Democratic Services

Be specific. "I think my award is too low" isn't enough. State which income band you believe you should be in and why, which deductions are incorrect and what the right figures are, or why your backdating request meets the good cause test.

Step 3: Valuation Tribunal for England

If the council responds to your grievance and maintains its decision, or if the council fails to respond at all, you can escalate to the Valuation Tribunal for England (VTE).

The deadlines are:

• If the council responds (maintaining its decision): you have 2 calendar months from their response to lodge a VTE appeal
• If the council doesn't respond: you have 2 calendar months from the date you submitted your grievance

The VTE is independent of the council. It examines whether the council correctly applied its adopted scheme rules to your circumstances. Hearings are relatively informal and you can represent yourself, though Citizens Advice Hull & East Riding (0808 278 7981) can provide advice or representation.

What the Tribunal Can and Can't Do

The VTE can:

• Order the council to recalculate your award using the correct figures
• Direct that a disregard be applied
• Overturn a refused backdating request if good cause was demonstrated

The VTE cannot:

• Change the scheme's income band thresholds
• Increase the 80% maximum cap
• Override the £6,000 capital limit

If you believe the scheme itself is unlawful (for example, discriminatory treatment of certain UC elements), that's a judicial review matter for the High Court, not a tribunal appeal.

Keep Records

Throughout the process, keep copies of every letter, email and form you send, with dates. If the council claims not to have received your grievance, your records are your proof. The 21-day review form deadline and the 2-month tribunal deadlines are not flexible.

The East Riding Council Tax Reduction guide covers the full appeal pathway with preparation worksheets and the contact details for each stage.

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