CITY OF LONDON

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Complaints - procedure


If you are dissatisfied about the standard of service, actions or lack of action by the City of London or its staff, we have a formal complaints procedure. Please note that this procedure is not intended for cases where the City of London has taken a decision in a proper manner but with which you disagree or where you wish to complain about other persons or organisations - unless they are working for the City of London.

The first step is to contact the department responsible for the service. You can do this by visiting, telephoning or writing. Some complaints can be sorted out on the spot but if this is not possible your complaint will be acknowledged and investigated immediately. The officer concerned will provide a written reply or progress report within two weeks.

If you are still dissatisfied, you should complain to the head of the department responsible for that service. This is best done formally by completing a complaint form from the download link below or available in all departments - together with a stamped addressed envelope. The department head will investigate your complaint and write to you within two weeks with a reply or a progress report.

Download a complaint form (263kb)

If you are still dissatisfied and wish to pursue the matter, you should email or write to the Town Clerk and Chief Executive, City of London, Guildhall, PO Box 270, London EC2P 2EJ. In your letter you should outline the circumstances and details of your complaint and the action you wish the City of London to take. The Town Clerk and Chief Executive will acknowledge your letter immediately and carry out an independent investigation, after which he will respond to you as soon as possible.

Freedom of Information complaints procedure

There is a special procedure for complaints made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Download the FOI complaints procedure here (30kb)

Environmental Information Regulations complaints procedure

There is a special procedure for complaints made under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

Download the EIR complaints procedure here (29kb)

Local Government Ombudsman

Unhappy with the way we have dealt with your complaint? The Local Government Ombudsman is an independent person who investigates allegations of maladministration causing injustice to the person who has complained. The Ombudsman investigates complaints about most council matters including housing, planning, education, social services and council tax. A leaflet giving advice on how to complain can be downloaded from the Ombudsman's website or obtained by contacting the office (see below).

10th floor,
Millbank Tower, Millbank,
London SW1P 4QP
Tel 020 7217 4620
Fax 020 7217 4621
or email


If you have an enquiry about the Local Government Ombudsman's service, you can call their Adviceline, 0845 602 1983 .

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