The Local Government Ombudsman

Complaint about the council?

How to complain

There is information in languages other than English on how to make a complaint.

Councils’ performance

An A-Z index of councils’ annual performance on dealing with complaints to the LGO.

Council Annual Letters

What We Do

The Local Government Ombudsmen investigate complaints about councils and certain other bodies.

They investigate complaints about most council matters including housing, planning, education and social services.

It is an independent, impartial and free service. 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.

Call the LGO Advice Team on 0845 602 1983 for advice or to make a complaint by telephone

Publications

Our publications can be found under the Publication Scheme

Training

For information on the courses we run for local authorities on handling complaints, click here. For information on a new course we are running for lawyers on the role of the LGO, click here.

Ombudsmen News

4th July 2008
Raised parking platform approval
Caradon District Council granted permission for a raised parking platform without taking all relevant policies into account, finds Local Government Ombudsman, Jerry White. In his report the Ombudsman says “…had the Council consid...

4th July 2008
Disabled man suffered indignity and inconvenience
A disabled man suffered unnecessary indignity and inconvenience as a result of Sheffield City Council’s failures over the adaptation of his home to meet his needs, finds Local Government Ombudsman, Anne Seex. In her report, issued...

4th July 2008
Quadriplegic man's family's battle over adaptations
A quadriplegic young man was confined to two unsuitable rooms in his home without suitable facilities as a result of Kirklees Council’s failures, finds Local Government Ombudsman, Anne Seex. In her report, issued today (4 July 200...

For more news, click here