The Commission for Local Administration in England
Millbank Tower
Millbank
London SW1P 4QP
Telephone: 020-7217-4620
Advice line: 0845-602-1983
To receive a leaflet called, Complaint about the Council? – How to complain to a local Government Ombudsman, call or write to the above address.
The Local Government Ombudsmen investigate complaints of injustice arising from maladministration by local authorities and certain other bodies. They investigate complaints about most Council matters including housing, planning, education, social services, consumer protection, drainage and council tax. The Ombudsmen can investigate complaints about something the Council has done. But they cannot question what a Council has done simply because someone does not agree with it.
Examples of unfair treatment which the Ombudsman can investigate include:
• delay in processing a housing benefit claim or appeal leading to possession action for rent arrears;
• delay in carrying out repairs leading to a period of unsatisfactory housing conditions;
• failure to investigate or respond to complaints of noise nuisance causing excessive disturbance;
• recovering an overpayment of Council Tax Benefit while an appeal is outstanding, leading to recovery action by bailiffs.
There are three Ombudsmen, who consider complaints relating to different parts of London. All new complaints will go to the LGO Advice Team (see below).
London Boroughs North of the River Thames (including Richmond
but not including Harrow):
Tony Redmond
Local Government Ombudsman
10th Floor
Millbank Tower
Millbank
London SW1P 4QP
Telephone: 020 7217 4620
Fax: 020 7217 4621
London Borough of Lewisham:
Anne Seex
Local Government Ombudsman
Beverley House
17 Shipton Road
York YO30 5FZ
Telephone: 01904 380200
Fax: 01904 380269
London Boroughs South of the River Thames (except Richmond and Lewisham) and Harrow:
Jane Martin
The Oaks No 2
Westwood Way
Westwood Business Park
Coventry CV4 8JB
Telephone: 024 7682 0000
Fax: 024 7682 0001
Website: http://www.lgo.org.uk
For advice on making a complaint, or to make a complaint over the telephone, call the LGO Advice Team on 0300 061 0614 or 0845 602 1983.
The Advice Team are available Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.00pm.
You can also text ‘call back’ to 0762 480 4299.
Make your complaint over the phone, or send it to:
The Local Government Ombudsman
PO Box 4771
Coventry CV4 0EH
Fax: 024 7682 0001
You can make an enquiry by email at: advice@lgo.org.uk
Their service is free but they cannot provide general advice about local government services.
