Crap Towns / Canterbury / Ombudsman complaints

How often does the ombudsman find against Canterbury council?

In 2025-26 the ombudsman decided 29 complaints and enquiries about Canterbury council, investigated 3 and upheld 3. That's an uphold rate of 100%, against 74% for similar councils. Per 100,000 residents that's 1.9 upheld, against 1.0 for similar councils. It had already put things right in 33% of upheld cases, against 15% for similar councils. Told to put things right, it did in 100% of 2 cases, 2 on time. Kent County Council, which runs social care, schools and the roads, had 58 upheld of 67 investigated (an uphold rate of 87%).

What the ombudsman decided, 2025-26
OutcomeComplaints and enquiries
Upheld3
Not upheld0
Closed after first enquiries13
Sent back to the council to sort out first8
Advice given5
Invalid or incomplete0
All decided29
What people complained about, 2025-26
ServiceComplaints and enquiries received
Planning12
Housing8
Bins, environment and public protection5
Corporate and other services3
Benefits and tax2
Other2
Highways and transport1
Adult social care0
Education and children's services0
Nearby councils
CouncilUpheld per 100,000 residents, 2025-26
Ashford2.1
Canterbury1.9
Folkestone and Hythe0.9
Thanet0.7
Swale0.6
Dover0.0