Fewer complaints about the borough council

FEWER than one in four complaints against Warrington Borough council are upheld, according to the Local Government Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman received 40 complaints and enquiries about Warrington Borough decisions – half of them relating to adults and children’s services. Nine complaints were upheld.
Fewer complaints/enquiries about WBC were received than last year (44) and fewer were upheld (10 last year).
Upheld complaints are where the Ombudsman has decided that WBC has either been at fault, or has accepted a need to put something right.
Leader of the council Terry O’Neill (pictured) said the council accepted the findings and will use them to continue to improve public services.
He said: “The figures represent a year-on-year improvement since 2013 and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to improving customer service. This is despite the fact that we have had £100 million of cuts. We have worked and will continue to work hard improving the services we deliver for our communities.
“Adult social care is a very costly and complex service area and this is reflected in the greater number complaints. These often derive from complainants mistakenly believing that services should be provided free by the NHS or the council.
“The drop in complaints also reflects the significant improvements introduced some time ago to the planning application process.”