Highways:
Complaints about highways (eg: potholes, broken paving etc) and trees, hedges and verges on highways and street lamps are dealt with by:
Kent Highways Services,
Kent County Council,
Invicta House,
County Hall, Maidstone,
Kent ME14 1XX
Tel: 0300 418 181
Homelessness Decisions:
There is a two stage process for dealing with disputes about homelessness decisions under Part VI of the Housing Act 1996, the Homelessness Act 2002, the Homelessness (Priority Need for Accommodation)(England) Order 2002 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. The first stage is a review by the Council’s Housing Department: the second stage is by applying to the Dartford County Court.
Housing Benefit/ Council Tax Benefit Decisions:
There is a two stage process for dealing with complaints about entitlement to Housing or Council Tax Benefits. The first stage is an internal review by the Council’s Benefits Department: the second stage is an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.
Liability for Council Tax or Business Rates:
There is a two stage process for disputing liability for Council Tax or Business Rates. The first stage is by representation to the Council’s Council Tax/Business Rates Department: the second stage is by appeal to the Valuation Office for Council Tax and for Business Rates, via the Magistrates’ Court at a liability order hearing.
Notices Served Under the Housing Acts, Environmental Protection Act, Street Trading and Trading Standards Legislation, Building Control and Planning Enforcement:
Complaints about Housing Acts Notices are dealt with by applying to the First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber (Residential Property). Complaints against all other Notices are dealt with by applying to the Dartford County Court.
Parking Penalty Charge Notices:
Complaints by motorists who believe that they are not liable for a parking ticket (penalty charge notice) are dealt with by the Parking and Traffic Appeals Service, following representations to the Council’s Parking Services Department.
Licensing Decisions:
Appeals against licensing decisions are dealt with by applying to the Magistrates' Court.
Refusal to Grant Planning Permission:
Appeals against refusal of planning permission are dealt with by the Planning Inspectorate (an independent government body). There is no third party right of appeal.