Crap Towns / Adur / Ombudsman complaints

How often does the ombudsman find against Adur council?

In 2025-26 the ombudsman decided 17 complaints and enquiries about Adur council, investigated 1 and upheld 1. That's an uphold rate of 100%, against 74% for similar councils. Per 100,000 residents that's 1.5 upheld, against 1.0 for similar councils. It had already put things right in 0% of upheld cases, against 15% for similar councils. Told to put things right, it did in 100% of 1 case, 1 on time. West Sussex County Council, which runs social care, schools and the roads, had 57 upheld of 61 investigated (an uphold rate of 93%).

What the ombudsman decided, 2025-26
OutcomeComplaints and enquiries
Upheld1
Not upheld0
Closed after first enquiries8
Sent back to the council to sort out first4
Advice given4
Invalid or incomplete0
All decided17
What people complained about, 2025-26
ServiceComplaints and enquiries received
Bins, environment and public protection7
Housing7
Planning7
Corporate and other services3
Benefits and tax2
Other1
Adult social care0
Education and children's services0
Highways and transport0
Nearby councils
CouncilUpheld per 100,000 residents, 2025-26
Brighton and Hove8.1
Worthing3.5
Lewes2.9
Arun2.4
Adur1.5
Mid Sussex0.6
Horsham0.0