JUST a handful of official complaints were made against Braintree Council last year.

The local government and social care ombudsman is responsible for investigating allegations of wrongdoing in local public services.

According to figures from the body, there were nine complaints or inquiries made about Braintree Council in the year to March – down from 11 the year before.

After investigation, the ombudsman found the council to have acted unjustly on just one occasion last year.

The most common reason for coming to the ombudsman in the Braintree district was for issues related to planning and development, with five complaints or inquiries.

Local government and social care ombudsman Michael King said: "One complaint can have immense power to change things for the better.

“The vast majority of councils agree to the recommendations we make and see them as common-sense ways of providing better services for people in their area."

Nationally, the number of complaints rose compared to last year, with 15,826 in the year to March, up 25 per cent from 11,830 last year, but below the 17,019 recorded in 2019-20.