Advice on comparing statistics across years

In 2022-23 we changed our investigation processes, contributing towards an increase in the average uphold rate across all complaints. Consider comparing individual council uphold rates against the average rate rather than against previous years.

In 2020-21 we received and decided fewer complaints than normal because we stopped accepting new complaints for three months due to Covid-19.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council

Complaint overview

Between 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, we dealt with 10 complaints. Of these, 4 were not for us or not ready for us to investigate. We assessed and closed 6 complaints. We investigated 0 complaints.

More about this data

Complaints dealt with – the total number of complaints and enquiries considered. It is not appropriate to investigate all of them.

Not for us – includes complaints brought to us before the council was given chance to consider it, or the complainant came to the wrong Ombudsman.

Assessed and closed – includes complaints where the law says we’re not allowed to investigate, or it would be a poor use of public funds if we did.

Investigated – we completed an investigation and made a decision on whether we found fault, or no fault.

Complaints upheld – we completed an investigation and found evidence of fault, or the organisation provided a suitable remedy early on.

Satisfactory remedies provided by the Council – the council upheld the complaint and we agreed with how it offered to put things right.

Compliance with Ombudsman recommendations – not complying with our recommendations is rare. A council with a compliance rate below 100% should scrutinise the complaints where it failed to comply and identify any learning.

Average performance rates – we compare the annual statistics of similar types of councils to work out an average level of performance. We do this for County Councils, District Councils, Metropolitan Boroughs, Unitary Councils, and London Boroughs.

For more information on understanding our statistics see Interpreting our complaints data.

Complaints dealt with

Not for us

Assessed and closed

Investigated

Annual letters

We write to councils each year to give a summary of the complaint statistics we record about them,
and their performance in responding to our investigations.

View annual letters

Reports

The Ombudsman has published the following reports against Stratford-on-Avon District Council

Find out more about reports

We issue reports on certain investigations, particularly where there is a wider public interest to do so. Common reasons for reports are significant injustice, systemic issues, major learning points and non-compliance with our recommendations. Issuing reports is one way we help to ensure councils are accountable to local people and highlighting the learning from complaints helps to improve services for everybody. Reports are published for 10 years.

No reports published

Service improvements

The Council has agreed to make the following improvements to its services following an Ombudsman investigation.

Find out more about service improvements

When we find fault, we can recommend improvements to systems and processes where they haven’t worked properly, so that others do not suffer from these same problems in future. Common examples are policy changes; procedural reviews; and staff training. Service improvements from decisions are published for 5 years and those from reports are published for 10 years.

The latest 10 cases are listed below – click ‘view all’ to find all service improvements.

Case reference: 22 012 419

Category: Benefits and tax

Sub Category: Council tax

  • By training or other means, remind officers of the provisions of its complaints procedure to ensure officers recognise complaints and they are considered in accordance with the complaints procedure

Case reference: 22 009 013

Category: Planning

Sub Category: Enforcement

  • The Council will review its procedure and guidance to relevant staff to ensure that complaints receive a timely response under the Council’s complaint procedure.

Case reference: 21 006 371

Category: Environment and regulation

Sub Category: Antisocial behaviour

  • The Council agreed to provide training and/or guidance to officers to ensure they know how to draft high hedge remedial notices in accordance with the requirements of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 and associated guidance.

4

Cases with service improvements agreed by Stratford-on-Avon District Council

View all

Last updated: 4 April 2015

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