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How to Complain to City of Cardiff Council
Complain to City of Cardiff Council in writing using its own complaints process. If it is not put right, the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales can look at it for free.
Your Complaint Journey
What Is Your Complaint About?
Pick a topic. We show you who runs it and the best page to read.
Step by Step
Go through each stage in order. The ombudsman normally only looks at it once the council has had its chance.
Tell the Service
Day 1Contact the team that runs it.
More detail
Contact the team that runs the service. Many problems are fixed quickly this way. Note the date and who you spoke to.
Stage 1 Complaint
20 working daysWrite to the council.
More detail
Say what went wrong, how it affected you and what you want done. Ask for a reference number and keep a copy.
Stage 2 Review
Ask for the dateAsk for the next stage.
More detail
If you are still unhappy with the stage 1 reply, ask for a review. A more senior person or a central team looks at it again.
Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
Free, within 12 monthsFree and independent.
More detail
Complain to the council first and give it a chance to respond. You can go to the Ombudsman if the council takes longer than about 12 weeks to give a final reply or you are unhappy with it. It is free, and complaints are normally expected within 12 months of when you became aware of the problem.
From the council's own complaints page: Cardiff Council says you can complain using its online form, a paper form sent to County Hall, in person at a Hub, through your councillor or by phone. It acknowledges within 5 working days and aims to resolve it within 20 working days. It says corporate complaints should be made within six months of becoming aware of the problem, and social services complaints within 12 months.
Read on the council's complaints page, checked 15 October 2026. Check it again before you complain, as councils change their process.Write Your Complaint in Minutes
Use a free letter, keep a dated record, or ask us to look at it with you. All free.
If It Is Not Put Right
Where to go next, and when.
Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
Free and independent, once the council has finished its process.
More detail
Complain to the council first and give it a chance to respond. You can go to the Ombudsman if the council takes longer than about 12 weeks to give a final reply or you are unhappy with it. It is free, and complaints are normally expected within 12 months of when you became aware of the problem.
Your Councillor
Your local councillor can raise a problem with the council for you. It is free and often speeds things up.
Courts and Other Routes
Some decisions, such as parking tickets and Council Tax bands, are challenged by an appeal rather than a complaint. Our Public Services guides explain each route.
What City of Cardiff Council Deals With
As a welsh council, it is responsible for local council services in its area.
Common Council Problems
Other Councils in Wales
Consumer Protection UK is independent and is not part of City of Cardiff Council.
Sources and official links
- City of Cardiff Council complaints page Checked 15 October 2026
- How to complain about a public body (Public Services Ombudsman for Wales) Checked 15 October 2026
- UK local authority names and codes (mySociety) Checked 15 October 2026