One of the lowest complaint rates in Essex is being celebrated by Brentwood Borough Council.

In the last year only seven complaints have been determined by the Local Government Ombudsman - the council watchdog - in relation to the services delivered by the council.

This means Brentwood has the second lowest number of complaints in Essex - just behind Uttlesford District Council which had three complaints made against it.

Brentwood Council's record was detailed in the annual report for 2001/2002 put together by the Commission for Local Administration in England.

Chief Executive and Town Clerk Bob McLintock said: "It is true that you can't please all of the people all of the time, so I am happy that we have received so few complaints and those issues raised with the Local Government Ombudsman have not been substantiated.

"We will look to operate in a manner that reduces even further the number of complaints raised with the LGO."

Out of the seven complaints detailed in the annual report the ombudsman decided in three cases that there had been no or insufficient evidence of maladministration, with the remaining four cases declared outside the Local Government Office's jurisdiction.

Last year a total of eight complaints were determined by the Local Government Ombudsman. Brentwood's record compares well against other council's within the county.

Tendering District Council had the worst record for complaints out of all the borough and district councils within Essex. A total of 32 complaints relating to Tendering Council had to be dealt with by the ombudsman - although in 20 of these cases no or insufficient evidence was found to support the complaint.

In Basildon, Chelmsford and Harlow 28 complaints were recorded.

Meanwhile Essex County Council had 47 complaints dealt with by the ombudsman with seven complaints settled locally and only one case becoming the subject of a formal report.

Published Tuesday October 29, 2002