Crap Towns / South Tyneside / Ombudsman complaints

How often does the ombudsman find against South Tyneside council?

In 2025-26 the ombudsman decided 57 complaints and enquiries about South Tyneside council, investigated 10 and upheld 7. That's an uphold rate of 70%, against 83% for similar councils. Per 100,000 residents that's 4.6 upheld, against 4.6 for similar councils. It had already put things right in 14% of upheld cases, against 16% for similar councils. Told to put things right, it did in 100% of 5 cases, 5 on time.

**What the ombudsman decided, 2025-26**
Outcome	Complaints and enquiries
Upheld	7
Not upheld	3
Closed after first enquiries	18
Sent back to the council to sort out first	17
Advice given	5
Invalid or incomplete	7
All decided	57

**What people complained about, 2025-26**
Service	Complaints and enquiries received
Adult social care	19
Corporate and other services	12
Education and children's services	12
Highways and transport	8
Housing	8
Bins, environment and public protection	4
Planning	3
Benefits and tax	2
Other	0

**Nearby councils**
Council	Upheld per 100,000 residents, 2025-26
North Tyneside	7.4
South Tyneside	4.6
Gateshead	2.0
Sunderland	1.4