THE number of complaints about Lancashire County Council fell last year, according to a watchdog.

From blocked drains to rows about school admissions, a new report has shone a light on 86 official complaints made about County Hall in 2007/08.

But despite the drop, Local Government Ombudsman Anne Seex said she had experienced “delay, poor communication and lack of follow-up action” in addressing some people’s complaints.

And responses from the council took longer than a 28-day target laid down in guidelines.

During the 2007/08 year, Ms Seex received 86 complaints about the county council, down from 102 the previous year.

In her annual letter to councillors, she said: “I have seen examples of how helpful and proactive officers are in addressing people’s concerns, and also evidence of delay, poor communication and lack of follow-up action.”

She said she was “concerned” by delays in addressing social services complaints.

The most complained-about departments were children’s services, adult care and transport and highways.

Only one finding of maladministration was made, which related to school transport for a disabled child.

In that case, the council was ordered to pay £500 to the parents and £150 to the pupil.

It also shelled out a total of just under £2,500 in seven other cases to compensate for “time, trouble and frustration”.

Meanwhile, in a separate assessment, a increasing number of complaints about Lancashire’s adult social services are being upheld, although they are far outweighed by positive feedback.

A report to be presented to councillors next week said “improvements to front-line services” were needed to ensure staff intervened at an early stage.