Housing and highway issues are apparently what infuriate people in Brent the most, with almost 170 complaints taken above Brent Council’s heads in the last year.
A local government ombudsman (LGO) is considered the final stage for complaints against councils.
In 2017/18 Brent was the subject of 168, seventh-highest in London, according to stats from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
Housing got 50 complaints, highways and transport 29, and benefits and tax 24. Some 33 were examined in detail by the LGO, with about two-thirds of those being upheld following an investigation.
Deputy leader Cllr Margaret McLennan said: “In acknowledging the pressures we are under with less funding, increasing demand for our services and other challenges put upon councils, we also acknowledge that as human beings, we sometimes get it wrong and in such cases we’re always happy to hold our hands up and say sorry.” But she added: “Where possible, I’d always encourage anyone to come to the council with their complaint first.”
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