Crap Towns / Kingston upon Thames / Ombudsman complaints

How often does the ombudsman find against Kingston upon Thames council?

In 2025-26 the ombudsman decided 101 complaints and enquiries about Kingston upon Thames council, investigated 17 and upheld 14. That's an uphold rate of 82%, against 88% for similar councils. Per 100,000 residents that's 8.1 upheld, against 10.2 for similar councils. It had already put things right in 14% of upheld cases, against 14% for similar councils. Told to put things right, it did in 100% of 11 cases, 11 on time.

**What the ombudsman decided, 2025-26**
Outcome	Complaints and enquiries
Upheld	14
Not upheld	3
Closed after first enquiries	50
Sent back to the council to sort out first	29
Advice given	3
Invalid or incomplete	2
All decided	101

**What people complained about, 2025-26**
Service	Complaints and enquiries received
Housing	42
Highways and transport	24
Education and children's services	18
Adult social care	14
Bins, environment and public protection	11
Benefits and tax	7
Corporate and other services	7
Planning	6
Other	2

**Nearby councils**
Council	Upheld per 100,000 residents, 2025-26
Kingston upon Thames	8.1
Merton	5.0
Sutton	3.7
Richmond upon Thames	3.6
Epsom and Ewell	2.4
Elmbridge	0.7