Crap Towns / Forest of Dean / Ombudsman complaints

How often does the ombudsman find against Forest of Dean council?

In 2025-26 the ombudsman decided 15 complaints and enquiries about Forest of Dean council, investigated 1 and upheld 1. That's an uphold rate of 100%, against 74% for similar councils. Per 100,000 residents that's 1.1 upheld, against 1.0 for similar councils. It had already put things right in 0% of upheld cases, against 15% for similar councils. Gloucestershire County Council, which runs social care, schools and the roads, had 27 upheld of 30 investigated (an uphold rate of 90%).

**What the ombudsman decided, 2025-26**
Outcome	Complaints and enquiries
Upheld	1
Not upheld	0
Closed after first enquiries	10
Sent back to the council to sort out first	4
Advice given	0
Invalid or incomplete	0
All decided	15

**What people complained about, 2025-26**
Service	Complaints and enquiries received
Planning	11
Bins, environment and public protection	4
Housing	3
Corporate and other services	1
Highways and transport	1
Adult social care	0
Benefits and tax	0
Education and children's services	0
Other	0

**Nearby councils**
Council	Upheld per 100,000 residents, 2025-26
Herefordshire	5.2
South Gloucestershire	3.9
Malvern Hills	1.2
Forest of Dean	1.1
Tewkesbury	1.0
Stroud	0.8
Gloucester	0.0