Crap Towns / South Gloucestershire / Ombudsman complaints

How often does the ombudsman find against South Gloucestershire council?

In 2025-26 the ombudsman decided 63 complaints and enquiries about South Gloucestershire council, investigated 13 and upheld 12. That's an uphold rate of 92%, against 85% for similar councils. Per 100,000 residents that's 3.9 upheld, against 5.6 for similar councils. It had already put things right in 0% of upheld cases, against 13% for similar councils. Told to put things right, it did in 100% of 13 cases, 4 on time.

**What the ombudsman decided, 2025-26**
Outcome	Complaints and enquiries
Upheld	12
Not upheld	1
Closed after first enquiries	21
Sent back to the council to sort out first	25
Advice given	0
Invalid or incomplete	4
All decided	63

**What people complained about, 2025-26**
Service	Complaints and enquiries received
Education and children's services	20
Housing	12
Planning	10
Adult social care	9
Bins, environment and public protection	9
Corporate and other services	8
Highways and transport	7
Benefits and tax	4
Other	2

**Nearby councils**
Council	Upheld per 100,000 residents, 2025-26
Bristol	4.7
Bath and North East Somerset	4.5
South Gloucestershire	3.9
North Somerset	3.1
Forest of Dean	1.1
Stroud	0.8