Title

OMBUDSMAN

Bristol apologises for 'distress' caused by mishandling of complaints

Bristol City Council has apologised after being criticised for failing to provide evidence it had completed Ombudsman recommendations in two separate complaints.

Bristol City Council has apologised after being criticised for failing to provide evidence it had completed Ombudsman recommendations in two separate complaints.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman completed investigations into the complaints, which involved missed bin collections and noise nuisance, in early 2020.

In both cases the council accepted the Ombudsman's decision and its recommendations to put things right for the complainants. 

The Ombudsman suspended chasing the council for evidence it had complied with the recommendations due to COVID-19.

However, once the Ombudsman resumed casework the council failed to supply the necessary evidence until fresh complaints were registered.

Ombudsman Michael King said that it was clear from these two cases there were ‘significant issues in the city'.

A council spokesperson said: ‘We recognise we have fallen short in both our initial handling of these complaints and our compliance with the recommendations made.

‘We apologise for any distress and inconvenience caused in these cases.'

OMBUDSMAN

Neighbourhood health: Building prevention through community power

By Matt Skinner | 24 July 2026

With a new Prime Minister at the helm promising to help people to ‘live well’, Matt Skinner looks at why neighbourhood-led prevention, social care reform and...

OMBUDSMAN

Is public service delivery really dead?

By Ben Page | 22 July 2026

Performance alone does not win public trust. While better outcomes matter, public opinion is shaped much more by how services are experienced, communicated a...

OMBUDSMAN

The problem with housing: Viability

By Heather Jameson | 17 July 2026

Uncertainty, viability and devolution: local authorities face a collection of hurdles and opportunities when it comes to delivering much-needed housing. The ...

OMBUDSMAN

Are we looking for finance experience ...and missing leadership potential?

By Andrew Tromans | 16 July 2026

Penna’s Andrew Tromans shares his insights into finance leadership recruitment.

Popular articles by William Eichler