Complaints to Ceredigion County Council fell by almost a third last year, but three in ten freedom of information (FOI) requests were still not answered within statutory deadlines.

The authority received 187 complaints during 2025/26, a reduction of 32 percent compared with the previous year.

Council figures also show that 81 percent of Stage 2 corporate complaints were completed within the target of 20 working days.

Intervention by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales also fell, with three cases requiring Early Resolution or Voluntary Settlement, compared with nine previously.

Of referrals closed during the year, 90 percent required no intervention from the Ombudsman.

Compliments received by the council increased slightly from 219 to 231.

However, performance on FOI and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) requests remains an area the authority says needs improvement.

A total of 1,205 FOI and EIR requests were processed during the year, but only 70 percent received responses within the required statutory timescale.

Forty-seven requests progressed to an internal review, while six cases were referred to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

The council’s Complaints and FOI Team has increased from four to six officers, although two of the additional posts are currently temporary.

Councillors were told the extra capacity had improved oversight, communication and quality assurance, while rising numbers of information requests continued to put pressure on resources.

Finance and Procurement received the highest number of complaints of any council service during 2025/26.

By comparison, Highways and Environmental Services recorded the highest number the previous year, receiving 99 complaints.

Priorities for 2026/27 include improving response times, staff training, reviewing complaints and information policies and improving how lessons from complaints are recorded.

The council said improving timeliness remains a key priority for the coming year. Cabinet formally noted the annual performance report at its meeting on 6 October.