ONLY a fraction of the complaints made to the Public Service Ombudsman of Wales against Gwent county councils were upheld in the last year.

Figures from the organisation’s annual report revealed that 160 complaints were made regarding Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen during 2009/10.

However only five were upheld either fully or partly, while three were investigated but not upheld.

Out of the 160 referrals, 58 complaints were thought not to merit an investigation, 38 were deemed premature and 19 were out of the jurisdiction of the organisation. 18 investigations were started but were discontinued.

A total of six complaints were withdrawn, while in 13 cases the parties either came to a voluntary settlement during an investigation or a “quick fix” - where the ombudsman suggested that the matter could be resolved quickly.

Caerphilly council was the hardest hit by referrals to the ombudsman, with 51 cases, three of which were upheld and two investigated but rejected.

Newport bore the brunt of 33 complaints but had no cases upheld or investigated and not upheld.

Torfaen received 29 complaints with none upheld or rejected. Blaenau Gwent had 27 cases with one upheld and one investigated but not upheld, while Monmouthshire saw 20 complaints with one case upheld.