Crap Towns / Westmorland and Furness / Ombudsman complaints

How often does the ombudsman find against Westmorland and Furness council?

In 2025-26 the ombudsman decided 46 complaints and enquiries about Westmorland and Furness council, investigated 8 and upheld 8. That's an uphold rate of 100%, against 85% for similar councils. Per 100,000 residents that's 3.5 upheld, against 5.6 for similar councils. It had already put things right in 13% of upheld cases, against 13% for similar councils. Told to put things right, it did in 100% of 6 cases, 4 on time.

**What the ombudsman decided, 2025-26**
Outcome	Complaints and enquiries
Upheld	8
Not upheld	0
Closed after first enquiries	27
Sent back to the council to sort out first	8
Advice given	0
Invalid or incomplete	3
All decided	46

**What people complained about, 2025-26**
Service	Complaints and enquiries received
Highways and transport	10
Benefits and tax	9
Education and children's services	9
Bins, environment and public protection	8
Corporate and other services	5
Adult social care	4
Housing	4
Planning	1
Other	0

**Nearby councils**
Council	Upheld per 100,000 residents, 2025-26
Cumberland	4.3
Westmorland and Furness	3.5
Northumberland	3.3
Wyre	0.8
Lancaster	0.7