The number of complaints referred to the Ombudsman about local authorities in Wales increased by 47% this year, figures released in the annual letter from the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales show. The annual Ombudsman's letter to councils for 2022 breaks down a variety of complaints relating to alleged maladministration and service failure, as well as complaints linked to reported breaches of the code of conduct for councillors.
According to the letter, the number of complaints referred relating to maladministration and service failure had increased by 47% when compared to figures from the 2020/21 period, and were well above pre-pandemic levels. It was noted however that this could be due to a rebound effect from the pandemic, with the ombudsman stating: "It is likely that complaints to my office, and public services in general, were suppressed during the pandemic, and we are now starting to see the expected ‘rebound’ effect."
A record figure of 20 complaints relating to the code of conduct for councillors were also either referred to the Adjudication Panel for Wales or local standards committees in the same time-frame.
