Title

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Rise in upheld ombudsman complaints

The proportion of complaints upheld by the Local Government Ombudsman has risen by 5%, according to the watchdog’s latest statistics.

The proportion of complaints upheld by the Local Government Ombudsman has risen by 5%, according to the watchdog's latest statistics.

According to the ombudsman's Annual Review of Local Government Complaints, 51% of investigations in 2015/16 were upheld, compared to 46% the previous year.

In total, the watchdog received 19,702 complaints and enquires about local authorities during the 12-month period, which was a similar number to the year before.

Ombudsman Dr Jane Martin, said: ‘While the number of complaints we receive is relatively small in comparison to the thousands of daily interactions between people and their councils each complaint represents a problem that could not be resolved locally.'

A spokesman for the Local Government Association said: ‘Local government remains one of the most trusted parts of the public sector. 

‘Public polling has shown that satisfaction with councils remains high.'

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Lack of Government assurance over governance change funding

By Dan Peters | 09 September 2025

The Government has refused to reassure councils forced to scrap their committee systems it will provide funding to help them change their governance models.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Reform UK Conference - serious contenders or still a one-man band?

By Nathan Emmerich | 08 September 2025

Reform UK’s conference was a missed opportunity to address Britain’s pressing issues head-on, with glaring policy omissions, such as the NHS and adult social...

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

The flawed rationale behind reorganisation

By John Mortimer | 08 September 2025

John Mortimer argues that the logic and mindset behind a report that has helped to shape the current drive for reorganisation misses out the true value creat...

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Exclusive: Fair funding 'won't resolve insufficient overall investment'

By Paul Marinko | 04 September 2025

The Government’s fair funding review will ‘not resolve the underlying issue of insufficient overall funding’ for the sector, auditor Grant Thornton has said.

Popular articles by Jamie Hailstone