LGSCO investigation finds backlog of 200 noise complaints at Calderdale Council

Article summary

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has criticised Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, after a noise complaint from a resident uncovered a backlog of 200 complaints yet to be investigated. The woman had complained to the council about noise nuisance and waste build-up on a neighbouring property during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, sending noise logs as evidence, and repeatedly asking for updates on the complaint. The council said that the backlog was due to a large increase in complaints during the coronavirus pandemic, at a time when the team was affected by shielding and self-isolation, and that the council had been in the process of changing the way its teams investigated complaints.