THE number of complaints made to the Public Service Ombudsman of Wales against Gwent local authorities and councillors has increased in the last year.

A total of 932 cases were dealt with, or closed, across Wales in 2015/16 - an increase of 19 per cent on the year before, when there were 865.

Figures have also showed a 49 per cent increase in complaints against community councils, in the same time period, according to the 10th annual Public Service Ombudsman report

The report revealed that 151 cases were closed or dealt with in Newport, Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent in 2015/16, compared to 150 during 2014/15.

In Gwent, four complaints were investigated and upheld either in whole or in part, while six were investigated but not upheld.

Of the 151 cases, 61 cases were closed after initial consideration, 46 were deemed premature, 23 were out of the service's jurisdiction, and two cases were discontinued.

The report shows that one complaint made to the Ombudsman was withdrawn, while eight cases were resolved by parties coming to a voluntary settlement or a "quick fix".

Caerphilly County Borough Council experienced the largest number of referrals with 56. One case was upheld, with another investigated but later rejected.

Newport City Council had 35 cases brought against it with one report upheld. Four other cases were not upheld, with four cases being settled through a "quick fix".

Monmouthshire County Council was referred to the service 24 times, with one case upheld.

Torfaen experienced the fewest complaints with 17. One complaint was investigated and not upheld.

Blaenau Gwent, meanwhile, received 19 complaints with one report upheld. Another report was not upheld and one was withdrawn.

One complaint against Abergavenny Town Council was considered by the Ombudsman before being closed, while a case against Raglan Community Council was investigated but not upheld.

Speaking on the issue, Ombudsman Nick Bennett said: "I have previously spoken about wanting to ensure that the resource of my office is devoted to issues of real concern rather than trivial complaints about the Code of Conduct.

"It is of particular disappointment to me therefore that complaints alleging that councillors had breached their authority’s code rose by 19 per cent.

"This is solely attributable to community and town councils, where complaints about members of these councils rose by 49 per cent."