Local Democracy Reporting Service

Hundreds of people are missing out on unclaimed council tax refunds in Coventry.

Image source, Local Democracy Reporting Service

A total of 11,331 council tax refunds have been issued this financial year, with the vast majority successfully cleared.

If the council tax was paid by direct debit, the refund will usually be paid back into the bank account where payments were taken from, but 715 uncleared refunds remain, totalling £34,853.

The council said refunds not cleared will be offset against future bills if the account remains live, however refunds to closed accounts will be retained by the authority until claimed - with the onus on residents.

A spokesman said: "When the credit is generated we issue a payment to the customer by BACS, where we hold bank details, and by cheque where we do not have bank details... We currently have 87 closed accounts, where we hold no forwarding address."

Ian Rogers, chairman of Coventry Citizens Party, who submitted a Freedom of Information request, said: "The point was to help people at a time when they needed it most not offset the value against future bills."

Police say they are still determined to get justice for the family of the missing estate agent.

Coventry Live

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• Cruel Gumtree conman puts Coventry mum of four at risk of homelessness, external
• Cycle route and average speed cameras planned on major Coventry route, external
• Major changes at Coventry railway station as latest transformation phase gets under way, external

Developers said one of the proposed towers could become Birmingham's tallest building.

BBC Midlands Today

Wolves head coach Nuno has thanked fans for buying virtual tickets to help feed the city's most vulnerable.

The club are selling the tickets for this evening's Premier League game against Liverpool.

By Friday they had sold 1,000 tickets raising £60,000.

Image source, Wolves Foundation

Mazammal Butt was stabbed after a heated row with his brother-in-law in a car park near his shop.

Jamila Azad says she "wasn't thinking" when she described having a jab from a "private" doctor.

The Department for Transport is creating a second headquarters in Birmingham and a new hub in Leeds.

Stoke-on-Trent Live

Here are some of the stories on the Stoke-on-Trent Live website:

• Families 'living in hell’ as housing estate access road blocked off for two years, external
• Pedestrian breaks both legs after being hit by car in this Stoke-on-Trent crash, external
• Covid outbreak at North Staffordshire school sees pupils told to self-isolate, external

BBC Midlands Today

Birmingham's famous St Patrick's Day parade has been cancelled for the second year in a row because of coronavirus restrictions.

Image source, Bianca Harvey/Birmingham St Patrick's Day Festival

The parade through Digbeth is the third largest in the world and would have taken place next Sunday.

Instead there will be a week of live streamed performances by cultural groups and a special video memorial service.

It's hoped the parade, which began in 1952, will return next year.

Alfie, 14, from Shropshire, had his leg amputated after being diagnosed with bone cancer.

Birmingham City are set to confirm the sacking of head coach Aitor Karanka after less than eight months in charge.

A man has been charged with murder after a teenager was fatally stabbed in Birmingham.

Jack Barry, 19, was found seriously injured in West Road, Hamstead, just after 21:45 on 7 March and died at the scene.

Image source, Family handout

A post-mortem examination found he died as a result of a stab wound, West Midlands Police said.

Cameron Cheshire, 18, of West Road, Great Barr, is due to appear before magistrates in Birmingham later.

The latest news and updates from across the West Midlands and south Cheshire.

Official events were called off because of Covid rules, but people still gathered to pay tribute.

Jack Barry, 19, was found seriously injured in Birmingham and died at the scene.

Struggling Birmingham City lose at home for the 12th time this season as Bristol City end their run of back-to-back defeats.

Stoke City suffer a fourth loss in five games as a resurgent Middlesbrough ease to victory at the Riverside.

Rob Lamb, 58, suffered a severe spinal cord injury and needs adaptations to make his home safe.

Most patients referred to University Hospitals Birmingham trust are not being seen within two weeks.