A recent report reveals Babergh and Mid Suffolk councils received over 1,200 complaints in the last financial year, marking a significant rise.
Babergh: So, it turns out that Babergh and Mid Suffolk councils have been pretty busy. They recorded over 1,200 complaints in the last financial year, which is quite a jump from the previous year.
The annual complaints report shows a 25% increase, going from 959 complaints last year to 1,205 this year. Most of these complaints, about 72%, were related to housing issues.
It seems like the councils are getting more complaints than the average for similar areas. They’ve been handling complaints in-house, but the response times aren’t quite up to par with what’s expected.
People are mostly complaining about delays in housing work and a lack of communication about whether work is happening or if more work is needed. It’s frustrating for residents, especially those dealing with homelessness services.
Interestingly, the rise in complaints is partly because the councils made it easier for folks to log complaints through a digital system they launched back in 2020. This has led to more people speaking up about their issues.
There’s also been a new housing ombudsman code that came into play last year, making it easier for residents to register complaints and get help early on. The councils are trying to improve their services and meet the regulator’s standards.
To tackle the complaints, they’ve introduced a new complaints system and a satisfaction survey, along with regular meetings to keep an eye on things. They’re hoping these changes will help reduce the number of complaints moving forward.
