(Image: Cumberland Council)While the number of upheld complaints has increased at Cumberland Council over time, the total amount received by the ombudsman has fluctuated. In 2023/24, 61 residents escalated complaints about Cumberland Council to the ombudsman. Cumberland Council pointed out that "despite a 33 per cent rise in complaints received nationally by the Ombudsman in 2025/26, the number of upheld complaints relating to Cumberland remained static." It added that, at 4.3, Cumberland's rate of upheld complaints per capita is lower than the average of 5.6 for similar authorities. (Image: Ian Duncan)The ombudsman upheld eight complaints against Westmorland & Furness Council in 2025/26, the highest figure seen in the last three years.