Crap Towns / West Lancashire / Ombudsman complaints

How often does the ombudsman find against West Lancashire council?

In 2025-26 the ombudsman decided 23 complaints and enquiries about West Lancashire council, investigated 7 and upheld 6. That's an uphold rate of 86%, against 74% for similar councils. Per 100,000 residents that's 4.9 upheld, against 1.0 for similar councils. It had already put things right in 50% of upheld cases, against 15% for similar councils. Told to put things right, it did in 100% of 3 cases, 2 on time. Lancashire County Council, which runs social care, schools and the roads, had 64 upheld of 75 investigated (an uphold rate of 85%).

**What the ombudsman decided, 2025-26**
Outcome	Complaints and enquiries
Upheld	6
Not upheld	1
Closed after first enquiries	5
Sent back to the council to sort out first	9
Advice given	0
Invalid or incomplete	2
All decided	23

**What people complained about, 2025-26**
Service	Complaints and enquiries received
Housing	14
Bins, environment and public protection	6
Planning	3
Benefits and tax	1
Corporate and other services	1
Adult social care	0
Education and children's services	0
Highways and transport	0
Other	0

**Nearby councils**
Council	Upheld per 100,000 residents, 2025-26
West Lancashire	4.9
Knowsley	4.3
Sefton	3.1
Wigan	2.6
Fylde	2.3
St. Helens	1.6
South Ribble	0.9
Chorley	0.0
Preston	0.0