Local Government Ombudsman

The Local Government Ombudsmen investigate complaints of injustice arising from maladministration by local authorities and certain other bodies. It investigates complaints about most council matters including housing, planning, education, social services, consumer protection, drainage and council tax. The Ombudsmen can investigate complaints about how the council has done something. But they cannot question what a council has done simply because someone does not agree with it.

A complainant must give the council concerned an opportunity to deal with a complaint against it first. It is best to use the council's own complaints procedure. If the complainant is not satisfied with the action the council takes, he or she can send a written complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman, or ask a councillor to do so on their behalf.

The Local Government Ombudsman

• does not take sides;
• is free; and
• is private that is, it has to give a copy of your complaint to the council, but we will not tell anyone else about it.

The Ombudsman produces two leaflets 'Complaint about the council? How to complain to the Local Government Ombudsman' and a complaint form to fill in both of which are available here in .pdf format.

• How to complain to the Local Government Ombudsman  (676kb) 
• How the Ombudsman will deal with your complaint   (186kb) 

 

If, after reading the leaflet "Complaint about the Council? How to complain to the Local Government Ombudsman", you need further advice before making your complaint or help with completing a complaint form, you should ring the Adviceline, which is open between 9.00am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday, on 0845 602 1983.

If you have already used the services of the Ombudsman and have a complaint about the manner in which they dealt with you complaint (not a problem with the result of the complaint) you can find out more information in their leaflet  "How to complain about us"

Information provided by the Local Government Ombudsman Website (external link)