Crap Towns / Richmond upon Thames / Ombudsman complaints

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

In 2025-26 the ombudsman decided 62 complaints and enquiries about Richmond upon Thames council, investigated 8 and upheld 7. That's an uphold rate of 88%, against 88% for similar councils. Per 100,000 residents that's 3.6 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 5 cases, 4 on time.

**What the ombudsman decided, 2025-26**
Outcome	Complaints and enquiries
Upheld	7
Not upheld	1
Closed after first enquiries	32
Sent back to the council to sort out first	16
Advice given	2
Invalid or incomplete	4
All decided	62

**What people complained about, 2025-26**
Service	Complaints and enquiries received
Education and children's services	26
Housing	22
Highways and transport	11
Adult social care	9
Benefits and tax	8
Bins, environment and public protection	5
Planning	5
Corporate and other services	2
Other	1

**Nearby councils**
Council	Upheld per 100,000 residents, 2025-26
Hammersmith and Fulham	10.6
Ealing	9.6
Hounslow	8.7
Kingston upon Thames	8.1
Merton	5.0
Wandsworth	4.4
Richmond upon Thames	3.6
Spelthorne	2.8
Epsom and Ewell	2.4
Elmbridge	0.7