Housing and planning lead list of complaints to LGO
Housing and planning topped the list of subjects for public complaints to the Local Government Ombudsmen in 2009/10, its annual report shows.
Out of complaints classified by subject, there were 3,694 about housing and 3,007 about planning or building control.
Education was the third most complained of subject area, at 2,136.
Total complaints reached 18,020, down from 21,012 the previous year, when housing and planning also headed the list of complaints.
Out of 10,309 complaints that were investigated only 69 led to the ombudsmen issuing reports in which it found maladministration causing injustice had occurred.
The three ombudsmen, Anne Seex, Tony Redmond and Jane Martin said: “In a year of great economic upheaval and political change, we have been reminded of our important role in providing a free and independent service to citizens aggrieved about the way they have been treated by local authorities.
“We also know that local authorities constructively use the outcomes of our investigations.”
The annual report can be downloaded here.
