Making a complaint about Tendring District Council should be easier following the introduction of a new complaints policy.

The authority’s new Corporate and Housing Complaints Policy replaces two separate policies with the aim of responding to issues consistently and fairly.

The new policy came into effect at the beginning of September and follows a thorough review of how complaints are handled across the organisation. It also reflects national best practice, including the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code and the Housing Ombudsman’s Code – a legal requirement for councils that manage social housing.

The council’s  cabinet member for housing and planning, Andy Baker, said: “It’s important that the council welcomes all complaints – we see them as a valuable way to measure how well our services are working. This policy puts a strong focus on learning lessons and using that insight to improve.”

He added: “By adopting a single, joined-up policy, we’re aiming to make the complaints process clearer for residents and more consistent for staff.”

The updated policy can be seen on the council’s website at www.tendringdc.gov.uk/content/complaints.