Latest news with #HaringeyCouncil
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Pregnant Katherine Ryan horrified as she's hounded by bailiffs over £10,000 council tax bill
KATHERINE Ryan has revealed she's been hounded by bailiffs and treated like a tax dodger after council blunder saw her wrongly held responsible for £10,000 in unpaid bills. 4 Katherine was paying the bill for her rented out property – which led councils to think she had a second home Credit: PA 4 The star said that she received notice of a 200% price hike by the council over the error Credit: Getty She paid the charge voluntarily - as a gesture of goodwill - to make things easier for her renters in the gothic church conversion in Crouch End. But she was shocked to then discover that Haringey Council believed she still lived there, classed the property as a second home, and hiked her council tax by 200%. When payments didn't match the inflated charge, they sent bailiffs to her house. Speaking on her podcast Telling Everybody Everything, Katherine said she sent them the tenancy agreement as proof that it wasn't her second home, and explained: "We pay the council tax because we want to make it seamless for everyone, but we don't live there.' READ MORE KATHERINE RYAN 'I never got a reply. I emailed four times,' she added. 'I called and was on hold for 40 minutes - then they just sent me back to the switchboard.' Katherine, who is 'I finally spoke to a woman who said, 'Oh yeah, we didn't receive any of your letters.'' Most read in TV She was then told that, legally, landlords aren't responsible for council tax if the property is tenanted - unless it's classed as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). Because the tenancy agreement hadn't been logged, the council wrongly billed her and added the second-home premium. Katherine Ryan pregnant with FOURTH child after hiding last pregnancy from BBC 'She goes, 'We can't go after you for council tax because you don't live there.' And I was like, 'Well, apparently you can - I've paid you ten grand and you've sent bailiffs to my house. Twice.'' Katherine was told she could apply for a refund but that the council would now send her tenants a backdated bill for the entire period. 'I was like, 'What!? You're going to send my tenants a bill for ten grand dating back two years?' She's like, 'Yep... Sometimes this causes problems - tell them not to freak out.'' She asked if the credit could be transferred but was told the tenants were 'just going to get a big bill.' 'Luckily, I'm in contact with the tenants,' she said. 'They trust me... But the bureaucracy! What if English wasn't my first language? 'Navigating all of this, there's got to be a better way.' 4 Katherine has called for an "easier way" to deal with council tax issues Credit: Getty 4 Katherine has shared that she's in communication with her renters over the issue Credit: Splash
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Pregnant Katherine Ryan horrified as she's hounded by bailiffs over £10,000 council tax bill
The star has opened up about the ongoing issue with her council tax bill TAXING PROBLEM Pregnant Katherine Ryan horrified as she's hounded by bailiffs over £10,000 council tax bill Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KATHERINE Ryan has revealed she's been hounded by bailiffs and treated like a tax dodger after council blunder saw her wrongly held responsible for £10,000 in unpaid bills. The comedian, 42, says she was footing the council tax bill for her tenants at a London flat she owns with husband Bobby ever since they rented it out in October 2023. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Katherine was paying the bill for her rented out property – which led councils to think she had a second home Credit: PA 4 The star said that she received notice of a 200% price hike by the council over the error Credit: Getty She paid the charge voluntarily - as a gesture of goodwill - to make things easier for her renters in the gothic church conversion in Crouch End. But she was shocked to then discover that Haringey Council believed she still lived there, classed the property as a second home, and hiked her council tax by 200%. When payments didn't match the inflated charge, they sent bailiffs to her house. Speaking on her podcast Telling Everybody Everything, Katherine said she sent them the tenancy agreement as proof that it wasn't her second home, and explained: "We pay the council tax because we want to make it seamless for everyone, but we don't live there.' 'I never got a reply. I emailed four times,' she added. 'I called and was on hold for 40 minutes - then they just sent me back to the switchboard.' Katherine, who is pregnant with her fourth child, was forced to take matters into her own hands last week and travelled to the council's Wood Green office herself. 'I finally spoke to a woman who said, 'Oh yeah, we didn't receive any of your letters.'' She was then told that, legally, landlords aren't responsible for council tax if the property is tenanted - unless it's classed as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). Because the tenancy agreement hadn't been logged, the council wrongly billed her and added the second-home premium. Katherine Ryan pregnant with FOURTH child after hiding last pregnancy from BBC 'She goes, 'We can't go after you for council tax because you don't live there.' And I was like, 'Well, apparently you can - I've paid you ten grand and you've sent bailiffs to my house. Twice.'' Katherine was told she could apply for a refund but that the council would now send her tenants a backdated bill for the entire period. 'I was like, 'What!? You're going to send my tenants a bill for ten grand dating back two years?' She's like, 'Yep... Sometimes this causes problems - tell them not to freak out.'' She asked if the credit could be transferred but was told the tenants were 'just going to get a big bill.' 'Luckily, I'm in contact with the tenants,' she said. 'They trust me... But the bureaucracy! What if English wasn't my first language? 'Navigating all of this, there's got to be a better way.' 4 Katherine has called for an "easier way" to deal with council tax issues Credit: Getty
Metro
09-05-2025
- Metro
Judge scolds barrister for using 'made-up cases' in her court arguments
A High Court judge has condemned a team of lawyers for basing arguments on five cases which turned out to be 'made-up'. Barrister Sarah Forey was instructed by solicitors at Haringey Law Centre to act for a homeless man who was claiming priority housing from Haringey Council in London. Ms Forey cited a number of cases – examples of previous legal rulings used to support an argument – in written submissions to the High Court. Lawyers for the council said they could not find five of the cases, suggesting the only explanation would be that Ms Forey used Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. They asked for clarification from Haringey Law Centre, who dismissed the issue as 'cosmetic errors' and said any problems were 'easily explained'. Haringey Law Centre lawyer Sunnelah Hussain suggested the council lawyers raised the matter 'as technicalities to avoid undertaking really serious legal research'. The presiding judge, Mr Justice Ritchie, blasted Haringey Law Centre's response as 'grossly unprofessional'. In his ruling on the case, he said the solicitors and Ms Forey had shown 'appalling professional misbehaviour'. He said he was unable to reach a verdict on whether they did use AI 'because Ms Forey was not sworn in and was not cross examined'. But he accused them of 'misleading the Court' by submitting 'fake cases' and then trying to 'finesse them into being 'minor citation errors''. The judge also dismissed Ms Forey's claim that the error arose from filing and photocopying mistakes, saying: 'I do not accept that it is possible to photocopy a non-existent case and tabulate it.' He said the team had presented a 'reasonable and fair' case, suggesting they would have had a strong chance to win if they hadn't used the fake cases. More Trending Mr Justice Ritchie continued: 'The submission was a good one. The medical evidence was strong. The ground was potentially good. Why put a fake case in? 'On the balance of probabilities, I consider that it would have been negligent for this barrister, if she used AI and did not check it, to put that text into her pleading.' The judge ordered his ruling to be sent Bar Standards Board and the Solicitors Regulation Authority, saying Ms Forey and Haringey Law Centres should self-report to the watchdogs. The case was settled in favour of the homeless man, Frederick Ayinde, but ordered Ms Forey's team to pay wasted court costs. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Mum wins court appeal to stop daughter having to stay overnight with rapist dad MORE: Harry claims police protection withdrawn to 'trap' him and Meghan in UK
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
John Sisk begins restoration of Haringey Civic Centre in London
Ireland-based construction firm John Sisk & Son (Sisk) has initiated the restoration of the Haringey Civic Centre in North London, a Grade II listed building. A groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the start of construction. The project includes the construction of a new annexe, office spaces and the restoration of civic spaces that will be accessible to the community in Wood Green. Sisk UK managing director Ger Hayes said: "A lot of pre-planning has got us to this stage and we look forward to delivering new high-quality offices and restored civic spaces for the community in the heart of Wood Green. Both the new build and major refurbishment of the Grade II listed building will prioritise sustainability and eco-friendly design. It is a really exciting project that will create local jobs and opportunities." Due to be completed in late 2026, the redevelopment is timed to precede Haringey Council's tenure as the London Borough of Culture in 2027. Haringey Civic Centre has been central to the borough's political and civic life since 1958 and first listed by English Heritage in 2018. The building was shuttered in spring 2020 after 'serious safety and structural issues' were uncovered, 'requiring major repair work'. The restoration has garnered positive feedback from residents, who have actively participated in engagement events. The design of the redevelopment includes a central courtyard and landscaped areas, in addition to the upgrades planned for the current building. This project will focus on sustainability, featuring energy-efficient revamps such as insulation and solar panels. Sisk is the project's main contractor. The council's Planning Sub-Committee approved the project in September 2023. Haringey Council leader councillor Peray Ahmet said: 'Steeped in a proud and important local history, this truly iconic building holds a special place in the hearts of many people. I'm thrilled construction has begun. This project will re-establish the building as the focal point for public life in the borough and create a dynamic and inclusive space for future generations.' 'It will provide high-quality, accessible, and sustainable office accommodation for up to 900 staff, as well as a hub for civic and community activity with green credentials helping us move towards our commitment to a zero-carbon estate.' In February 2025, John Sisk & Son was selected by regeneration developer ION Property Developments and Wirral Council to carry out site remediation works for a new urban village project in Birkenhead, England. "John Sisk begins restoration of Haringey Civic Centre in London" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
BBC News
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Drake to headline Wireless festival on all three days
Rapper Drake has been announced as the headliner for all three nights of this year's Wireless will be his first UK performance in six years, with the One Dance hitmaker due to play a bespoke set on each is celebrating 20 years and returns to Finsbury Park, London, between 11 and 13 artists confirmed to be playing across the weekend are Burna Boy, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Summer Walker and Vybz Kartel. Drake has most recently been embroiled in a rap beef with Super Bowl headliner Kendrick spotlight will again be on the pair, as Kendrick has his own UK tour dates lined up for July, including playing in Birmingham the night before Drake's first the origins of the feud going back a decade, the past year has seen it ignite again with Kendrick's Not Like Us takedown of Drake winning a grammy - but also the subject of an ongoing legal case by the more on their beef here Drake first headlined Wireless in 2012, with the festival saying he holds the title "for the audience's most requested artist".He recently released Some Sexy Songs 4 U, a joint album with fellow Canadian artist PARTYNEXTDOOR who will be performing on the same day will see R&B star Summer Walker on stage, who made waves with her previous performance at Finsbury Park in will see Afrobeats icon Burna Boy making his Wireless debut, with dancehall star Vybz Kartel also performing on that Jamaican artist was freed from prison last year after having a murder conviction overturned. The festival has promised more acts for the weekend will be announced year saw the likes Nicki Minaj, 21 Savage, J Hus and Doja Cat 50,000 rap, R&B and hip-hop fans head to the event each 2023, Wireless signed a five-year deal with Haringey Council for the festival to be held in Finsbury Park every summer until at least are due to go on general sale on Wednesday 19 February at 12:00 GMT. Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.
