Crap Towns / Vale of White Horse / Ombudsman complaints

How often does the ombudsman find against Vale of White Horse council?

In 2025-26 the ombudsman decided 14 complaints and enquiries about Vale of White Horse council, investigated 4 and upheld 3. That's an uphold rate of 75%, against 74% for similar councils. Per 100,000 residents that's 2.0 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 3 cases, 2 on time. Oxfordshire County Council, which runs social care, schools and the roads, had 24 upheld of 30 investigated (an uphold rate of 80%).

**What the ombudsman decided, 2025-26**
Outcome	Complaints and enquiries
Upheld	3
Not upheld	1
Closed after first enquiries	6
Sent back to the council to sort out first	3
Advice given	0
Invalid or incomplete	1
All decided	14

**What people complained about, 2025-26**
Service	Complaints and enquiries received
Planning	4
Benefits and tax	3
Bins, environment and public protection	1
Corporate and other services	1
Other	1
Adult social care	0
Education and children's services	0
Highways and transport	0
Housing	0

**Nearby councils**
Council	Upheld per 100,000 residents, 2025-26
Wiltshire	3.6
Swindon	2.5
West Berkshire	2.4
Vale of White Horse	2.0
Oxford	1.8
West Oxfordshire	0.8
Cherwell	0.6
South Oxfordshire	0.6