Council Tax Reduction Reviews

Where an individual is dissatisfied with the council tax reduction decision made by Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar they can (provided it is done within two months of that decision) seek a review of the decision by writing to their us requesting a review. A review of eligibility for Council Tax Reduction will consider the amount of income a person has with the amount that a person needs to live on (their applicable amount) this will vary depending on the circumstances of the individual and their dependents.

The request for review must state the reasons why the individual thinks the council tax reduction decision is incorrect. The local authority must consider the request and reply with their decision in writing within two months. In Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar a request for a review of Council Tax Reduction should be sent to Revenues and Benefits Manager, Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, Sandwick Road, Stornoway, HS1 2BW.

Further Review

If after receiving a review decision by the Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar you remain dissatisfied then you can seek an independent ruling from the Council Tax Reduction Review Panel who will conduct a further review.

A further review by the Council Tax Reduction Review Panel can only be requested after Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar has carried out an internal review.

The only exception to this is if you do not receive a written response from Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar within two months of writing to us requesting a review. If this occurs the individual or their representative can request in writing an independent ruling from the Council Tax Reduction Review Panel.

The Council Tax Reduction Review Panel is an independent body which is an addition to the Scottish Tribunals Service, providing an additional review service to safeguard individual’s rights to administrative justice when assessing an individual’s eligibility for Council Tax Reduction. They will consider the facts presented to them and give an independent ruling as to whether the decision made by your local authority is correct or not.

An application for further review should be made directly by the individual applicant or their representative in writing to the:

Council Tax Reduction Review Panel
Glasgow Tribunals Centre
20 York Street
Glasgow
G2 8GT

Further information, including application forms, are available via the Council Tax Reduction Review Panel (CTRRP) (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) website

When notified by the Council Tax Reduction Review Panel of a further review Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar will forward the decision regarding the review and the supporting documentation from the Council Tax Reductions Review Panel. This includes copies of the notification of review to the applicant, responses to that notice, relevant extracts from the applicants Council Tax Reductions application, summary of response to review and any other supporting communications.

Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar will also forward a copy of the documentation we are submitting to the Council Tax Reduction Review Panel to the applicant at this time, prior to the hearing.

Information regarding the Council Tax Reduction Review Panel (CTRRP) (Opens in a new window or downloads a file), including the extent of their powers is available via their website.

Further information regarding Council Tax Reduction (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)

Other Help and Advice

You may wish to seek Independent legal advice to assist you with your appeal.

The Citizens Advice Bureau can help/represent you with your appeal. Their contact details can be found via the following links:

• Barra Citizens Advice Bureau (Western Isles) (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)
• Harris Citizens Advice Bureau (Western Isles) (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)
• Lewis Citizens Advice Bureau (Western Isles) (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)
• Uist Citizens Advice Bureau (Western Isles) (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)