Crap Towns / Central Bedfordshire / Ombudsman complaints

How often does the ombudsman find against Central Bedfordshire council?

In 2025-26 the ombudsman decided 94 complaints and enquiries about Central Bedfordshire council, investigated 20 and upheld 17. That's an uphold rate of 85%, against 85% for similar councils. Per 100,000 residents that's 5.4 upheld, against 5.6 for similar councils. It had already put things right in 24% of upheld cases, against 13% for similar councils. Told to put things right, it did in 100% of 12 cases, 10 on time.

**What the ombudsman decided, 2025-26**
Outcome	Complaints and enquiries
Upheld	17
Not upheld	3
Closed after first enquiries	47
Sent back to the council to sort out first	20
Advice given	3
Invalid or incomplete	4
All decided	94

**What people complained about, 2025-26**
Service	Complaints and enquiries received
Education and children's services	58
Adult social care	17
Bins, environment and public protection	10
Corporate and other services	9
Highways and transport	9
Housing	9
Benefits and tax	4
Planning	4
Other	1

**Nearby councils**
Council	Upheld per 100,000 residents, 2025-26
Buckinghamshire	11.9
Milton Keynes	11.8
Central Bedfordshire	5.4
Luton	4.6
Stevenage	3.3
Bedford	2.6
St Albans	2.6
Dacorum	2.5
South Cambridgeshire	0.6
Huntingdonshire	0.5
North Hertfordshire	0.0