Crap Towns / Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole / Ombudsman complaints

How often does the ombudsman find against Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council?

In 2025-26 the ombudsman decided 133 complaints and enquiries about Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council, investigated 24 and upheld 20. That's an uphold rate of 83%, against 85% for similar councils. Per 100,000 residents that's 4.9 upheld, against 5.6 for similar councils. It had already put things right in 20% of upheld cases, against 13% for similar councils. Told to put things right, it did in 100% of 19 cases, 16 on time.

**What the ombudsman decided, 2025-26**
Outcome	Complaints and enquiries
Upheld	20
Not upheld	4
Closed after first enquiries	52
Sent back to the council to sort out first	47
Advice given	2
Invalid or incomplete	8
All decided	133

**What people complained about, 2025-26**
Service	Complaints and enquiries received
Education and children's services	46
Housing	28
Adult social care	27
Benefits and tax	19
Bins, environment and public protection	18
Corporate and other services	14
Planning	14
Highways and transport	13
Other	3

**Nearby councils**
Council	Upheld per 100,000 residents, 2025-26
Dorset	9.2
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole	4.9
New Forest	1.1