How to complain about local council services
If you feel that a council service has not been properly delivered, you can make a formal complaint.
Making a formal complaint
Your local council welcomes feedback on the standard of service it provides. In this way councils learn from mistakes and improve services.
If you have a concern or suggestion about a service, write or speak to a member of staff or the service manager. Contact information for this, and other council services is listed on your local council's website or in the telephone directory.
If you are not happy with your reply
A service manager normally sends you a written reply within a certain number of working days from receiving your complaint.
If you are not satisfied with the reply, you can contact your council's complaints officer. The complaints officer will confirm that they have received your complaint and, after investigation with the department concerned, they will write to you.
Your local council will be committed to responding to a complaint within a set number of days. Local circumstances vary slightly and you should contact your local council for full details.
Taking your complaint further
The Northern Ireland Ombudsman investigates complaints about local councils.
Independent of central and local government, the Ombudsman's investigations are impartial. You can complain directly to the Ombudsman at any time, but usually after you completed your local council's complaints procedure.
Contact the Ombudsman's office on freephone 0800 343424 or 028 9023 3821 for general help and assistance before submitting a complaint.
You can make a formal complaint in writing, by email, by fax and online.
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