Crap Towns / Buckinghamshire / Ombudsman complaints

How often does the ombudsman find against Buckinghamshire council?

In 2025-26 the ombudsman decided 204 complaints and enquiries about Buckinghamshire council, investigated 75 and upheld 69. That's an uphold rate of 92%, against 85% for similar councils. Per 100,000 residents that's 11.9 upheld, against 5.6 for similar councils. It had already put things right in 1% of upheld cases, against 13% for similar councils. Told to put things right, it did in 100% of 57 cases, 53 on time.

What the ombudsman decided, 2025-26
OutcomeComplaints and enquiries
Upheld69
Not upheld6
Closed after first enquiries73
Sent back to the council to sort out first43
Advice given6
Invalid or incomplete7
All decided204
What people complained about, 2025-26
ServiceComplaints and enquiries received
Education and children's services139
Planning36
Housing22
Bins, environment and public protection21
Adult social care19
Highways and transport17
Benefits and tax13
Corporate and other services6
Other1
Nearby councils
CouncilUpheld per 100,000 residents, 2025-26
Buckinghamshire11.9
Milton Keynes11.8
West Northamptonshire10.2
Slough9.6
Windsor and Maidenhead7.5
Hillingdon6.1
Three Rivers5.2
Spelthorne2.8
Dacorum2.5
Runnymede1.1
South Oxfordshire0.6