The local government watchdog upheld 100 per cent of complaints made to it about Slough Borough Council last year, a report has revealed – although the total number of complaints was lower than at other councils.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman upheld all four complaints made to it by residents of Slough between April 2023 and March 2024. Four of them related to special educational needs services and the third was to do with council tax.

Council officers said that although the rate of upheld complaints was high, the number of complaints made to the ombudsman was low compared to other Berkshire councils.

The report said that 13 complaints were made to the ombudsman about Reading Borough Council but only 10 upheld – 77 per cent. And 12 complaints were made about the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, with 11 upheld – 92 per cent.

The figures were presented to councillors on Slough’s audit and corporate governance committee on Monday September 30.

Councillors Frank O’Kelly and Robert Anderson asked whether the number of complaints about Slough Borough Council was lower because residents didn’t know how to complain. In order to complain to the ombudsman, a complaint must first go through two stages at the council.

Officers replied that staff were looking at complaints processes to make them more accessible and improve communication.