Crap Towns / Sevenoaks / Ombudsman complaints

How often does the ombudsman find against Sevenoaks council?

In 2025-26 the ombudsman decided 13 complaints and enquiries about Sevenoaks council, investigated 2 and upheld 2. That's an uphold rate of 100%, against 74% for similar councils. Per 100,000 residents that's 1.6 upheld, against 1.0 for similar councils. It had already put things right in 0% 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
Upheld2
Not upheld0
Closed after first enquiries8
Sent back to the council to sort out first2
Advice given1
Invalid or incomplete0
All decided13
What people complained about, 2025-26
ServiceComplaints and enquiries received
Housing7
Planning5
Benefits and tax1
Adult social care0
Bins, environment and public protection0
Corporate and other services0
Education and children's services0
Highways and transport0
Other0
Nearby councils
CouncilUpheld per 100,000 residents, 2025-26
Bromley14.6
Thurrock8.8
Greenwich5.3
Dartford2.4
Bexley2.3
Gravesham1.8
Sevenoaks1.6
Tonbridge and Malling1.5
Mid Sussex0.6
Tandridge0.0
Tunbridge Wells0.0