Complaints

• A sign of cutting corners?

  With figures revealing the number of complaints about local councils are on the rise, what does this say about the performance of the sector? Neil Merrick investigates.

  

• Northants council-owned company spends ‘thousands’ on luxury events

  An investigation has been launched after it was revealed a company belonging to cash-strapped Northamptonshire CC spent ‘thousands’ on luxury events.

  

• One man lodges 673 complaints about local council

  A Hull man may hold the record for complaining about his local council.

  

• In-house mediation service at Suffolk

  Sally Marlow and Helen Muddock look at how Suffolk County Council created a 'mediation culture' to deal with staff complaints.

  

• Nearly 60% of investigations against councils upheld by Ombudsman

  Over half of the investigations into complaints against local authorities were upheld in 2017-18, according to new figures.

  

• Council installs CCTV after library sex incident

  Isle of Wight Council has been forced to upgrade security measures at a local library after a couple were caught having sex among the bookshelves.

  

• Cheshire councillor investigating misconduct suspended

  The Cheshire East Council councillor investigating two senior officers over concerns about the way contracts were awarded has been asked to ‘step down’.

  

• Council criticised for procurement ‘maladministration’

  A council in Northern Ireland has been criticised for ‘maladministration’ in its procurement of stewarding services.

  

• Councils urged to be clear on care home costs

  Councils have been reminded to give families accurate information about care home fees by the ombudsman, following a complaint against Lincolnshire County Council.

  

• Council investigates after extremist makes video announcement from Mayor’s chair

  Belfast City Council is investigating a video made by the deputy leader of the far-right group Britain First which was shot while she sat in the Lord Mayor's chair.