Our Research Into Damp, Mould And Disrepair In Council Houses

Issues of damp, mould and disrepair are in sharp focus across the UK following a report from the Housing Ombudsman released earlier this month which details over 100 severe maladministration cases on damp and mould saying the issue now “dominates half of our casework.”

Richard Blakely of the Housing Ombudsman said: “It is clear that landlords are still struggling with timescales. This is despite policies often setting out a clear sequence of actions and existing obligations requiring reasonable resolution times…

“This is a topic that now dominates half of our casework and one coming into sharp focus given the government’s intention to introduce Awaab’s Law into both the social and private rented sectors.”

Awaab’s Law was first introduced in July 2023 following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in Rochdale, Greater Manchester in 2020. 

The two-year-old died as a result of exposure to damp and mould conditions and his death prompted a change in the law which requires landlords to fix hazards that pose a danger to tenants’ health with a strict legal time limit.

As it stands, the law only applies to properties in the social housing sector. However, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced in September that the law will be extended to the private sector.

However, with cash-strapped councils fearing imminent bankruptcy, a growing demand for housing and a cost-of-living crisis, it seems hard to fathom how councils can be expected to tackle the issues facing their properties despite new legislation and policy.

Speaking at the Labour Party conference in September, Angela Rayner said: “Many Housing Associations, councils and landlords do good by their tenants and I know how hard they’ve had it after 14 years under the Tories. Which is why I will work in partnership with the sector to deliver the change. I will clamp down on damp and mouldy homes by bringing in Awaab’s Law in the social rented sector this autumn and we’ll extend it to the private rented sector too.”

“We will consult and implement a new Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes, to end the scandal of homes being unfit to live in.”

How Legal Expert Can Help You

If you’re looking for help and advice with a housing disrepair issue, Legal Expert can help. Our team of No Win No Fee solicitors are specialists in all types of housing disrepair claims and they can help you too. To access free advice or to chat with us about your legal options, please get in touch with us on the number at the top of this page.

How We Conducted Our Research Into Damp And Mould In Council Houses

Legal Expert submitted Freedom of Information Requests to 183 councils across the UK. 

These included; metropolitan councils and unitary authorities, all London Boroughs and Welsh and Scottish Councils – to gain a true insight into the current social housing landscape. 

We asked: Between 1 October, 2023 and 1 October, 2024, can you provide the number of complaints the council has had regarding damp, mould and disrepair.

We also asked how much the council had paid out in repairs for each of the issues during the same time period.

The figures relate only to social housing stock that is in the councils’ possession, rather than stock which is run by Housing Associations, but gives a vital snapshot of the challenges being faced. 

Statistics On Damp And Mould In Council Houses

Metropolitan Councils

Doncaster Borough Council

Data provided by Ledge Homes – An Arm’s Length Management Organisation managing approximately 20,000 social housing properties on behalf of the City of Doncaster Council.

No. of complaints 

Damp/Mould/Disrepair: 14

Amount paid out on repairs between November 2023 and October 2024

Damp/Mould: £1.03m

Disrepair: £102,785*

*Works issued to contractors only, does not represent the total amount

Gateshead Borough Council 

No. of complaints between October 2023 and October 2024

Damp/Mould: 122

Disrepair: 244

Amount spent of repairs

Disrepairs: £209,395.57

Kirklees Borough Council

No. of complaints 

Damp/Mould: 225

Amount spent of repairs

Damp/Mould: £2,359,689

Disrepair: £115,909

Leeds City Council

No. of complaints 

Damp/Mould: 311

Disrepair: 27

Amount spent of repairs

Disrepair: £1,377,587

*This includes additional repairs and improvements, and this is the value within the Disrepair framework.

Manchester City Council

No. of complaints 

Damp: 114

Mould: 110

Disrepair: 8

Amount spent of repairs

Damp: £1,256,991

Mould: £1,256,991

Disrepair: £1m Approx.

Rotherham Borough Council

No. of complaints 

Damp/Mould: 46 (Stage 1 complaints)

Disrepair: 76 (Not formal complaints – these are legal cases)

Amount spent of repairs

Damp: £412,021 (on damp related works during this period)

Mould: £972,436 (on mould related works during this period)

Disrepair: £59,657

South Tyneside Council

No. of complaints 

Damp/Mould:

• 1,038 (Stage 1 Complaints)
• 151 (Stage 2 Complaints)

Stockport Borough Council 

No. of complaints 

Disrepair: 81 (Legal Claims)

Amount spent of repairs

Remedial Repairs: £696,711

Disrepair: £143,000

Wolverhampton City Council 

No. of complaints 

Mould/Damp/Disrepair: 218

Amount spent of repairs

Damp.Mould: £1.2 million

Disrepair: £53,912

Unitary Authorities

Blackpool Council

No. of complaints 

Damp/Mould: 23

Disrepair: 42

Amount spent of repairs

Damp/Mould: £19,478.58

Disrepair: £38,617.97

 

 

Planning rows with neighbours, living conditions and children’s services are just some of the reasons residents are frustrated with their local councils.

Recent cuts to council budgets have resulted in a squeeze on the services they provide. Sectors such as Children and Education Services, Housing and Benefits have been affected but some councils are weathering the storm better than others.

To gain a true understanding of council performance, Legal Expert investigated the number of complaints lodged against each Metropolitan Council in the UK.

How Legal Expert Can Help

The team at Legal Expert offer free advice and support in relation to injuries resulting from council-caused incidents. For example, a trip and fall over a pothole or injuries caused by the disrepair of a council house.

You can learn more about council compensation claims here, or contact us to get free advice.

How We Conducted Our Research Into Council Satisfaction

We sent Freedom of Information Requests to the Government and Social Care Ombudsman asking for the number of complaints that have be lodged against every UK Metropolitan Council in the last financial year (between April 6 – April 5 2023/24).

The Ombudsman is the final stage for complaints about councils, if residents are not happy with the outcome of the initial process.

We also asked what service the complaints pertained to for example, Housing or Environmental Services.

Lastly, we asked how the complaints were dealt with. For instance, how many were upheld, how many were closed after initial enquiries and how many were not referred back for local resolution.

Discover The Results Of Our Research Into Complaints Against Local Councils

The total number of complaints lodged against Metropolitan Councils was 3,231 in the last financial year alone. That equates to around 9 every day.

Out of 32 UK Metropolitan Councils, Birmingham City Council had the most complaints, according to the Ombudsman figures.

The most complained about services nation-wide was Education and Children’s Services which had a total of 841 across all Metropolitan Councils.

National Outlook

The Ombudsman is the final stage of complaints about councils if residents are not happy with the outcome of complaining directly to their local authority. 

Birmingham City Council was revealed as the most complained about Metropolitan Local Authority in England by far, with 494 complaints made to the Ombudsman last year – equating to more than one a day.

Coming in second was Leeds City Council which had 211 complaints, followed by Manchester City Council with 163.

In its latest report, July 24, the Ombudsman criticised councils in England for ‘failing to deliver improvements on time.’

Ms Amerdeep Somal, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, said: “What we’re seeing in the majority of cases isn’t a lack of care or an inability to take responsibility for what has gone wrong, but a sector struggling to cope.”

The most complained about sector across the 36 Metropolitan Councils was Education and Children’s Services which could include children’s social services or school’s actions, such as bullying, policy changes, or failure to support children with special educational needs. 

Some 841 such complaints were made to the Ombudsman, the most being for Birmingham City Council, which had 85, followed by Leeds City Council which had 70.

Adult and Social Care had the second highest complaint figures, which could include poor-quality care, fees and charging disputes, delays, assessments of need or safety and safeguarding issues. 

A total of 510 such complaints were assessed by the Ombudsman, with 42 relating to Birmingham City Council. Bradford and Leeds Council logged a further 28 complaints each and Sheffield Council had 26.

Other common grievances included: Environmental Services (52), Housing (42). Corporate Services (25) and Highways and Transport (23).

Of these complaints, 390 were upheld and another 876 were referred back to the council for local resolution. 

The Ombudsman provided advice in 157 cases, while 1,301 complaints were closed after initial enquiries, meaning there was no case for the council to answer. 

A further 108 complaints were not upheld.

Ombudsman Ms Somal added: “Councils want to comply with our recommendations, accept responsibility when things go wrong, and provide good services to residents, and our 99.5% compliance rate indicates this is the case. But all too often resources and finances prevent them from doing so as swiftly as they should.”

Birmingham City Council

Birmingham City Council was subject to 510 complaints to the Ombudsman, that’s more one a day.

The most common complaint related to housing, which could include poor living conditions. Some 127 (25%) of complaints assessed by the complaints body pertained to housing. 

The second most common issue plaguing Birmingham City residents were in Education and Children’s Services which had 85 complaints.

Other common reasons were; Highways and Transport (84), Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation (66), and Benefits and Tax (59). 

Of these complaints, 71 were upheld and another 145 ‘referred back for local resolution’, while ;advice’ was given in 19 other cases.

Some 176 were ‘closed after initial enquiries,’ meaning there was no case for the council to answer while another 14 were not upheld. 

Leeds City Council

Leeds City Council has received some of the highest number of complaints out of all Metropolitan Councils in the UK. 

The majority of complaints lodged against the council were regarding Education and Children’s Services.

Leeds City Council was subject to 211 complaints to the Ombudsman in the last year.

The most common complaint related to Education and Children’s Services, which could include children’s social services or school’s actions, such as bullying, policy changes, or failure to support children with special educational needs. 

A total of 70 such complaints were assessed by the Ombudsman, accounting for 33% of all complaints lodged against the council in 2023/24.

The second most common issue plaguing Leeds City residents was housing which had 37 complaints.

Other common reasons were: Adult and Social Care (28), Environmental Services (28), Planning and Development (17) and Highways and Transport (11).

Of these complaints, 42 were upheld and another 37 ‘referred back for local resolution’, while ‘advice’ was given in 19 other cases.

Some 67 were ‘closed after initial enquiries,’ meaning there was no case for the council to answer, while another 9 were not upheld.

Elsewhere in West Yorkshire, 132 complaints were made about Bradford City Council. The most common issue being Education and Children’s Services. 

Some 96 complaints were also lodged against Kirklees Council, with Adult Social Care being the primary concern. 

A further 86 were made for Calderdale Council as well as 61 for Wakefield. Education and Children’s Service was the most complained about sector for both. 

Manchester City Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 18

Benefits and Tax | 16

Corporate and Other Services | 5

Education and Children’s Services | 36

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 28

Highways and Transport | 29

Housing | 23

Planning and Development | 7

Other | 1

Total No. of complaints: 163

Sheffield City Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 26

Benefits and Tax | 15

Corporate and Other Services | 6

Education and Children’s Services | 21

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 9

Highways and Transport | 20

Housing | 38

Planning and Development | 11

Other | 3

Total No. of complaints: 149

Bradford City Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 28

Benefits and Tax | 12

Corporate and Other Services | 1

Education and Children’s Services | 36

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 5

Highways and Transport | 27

Housing | 3

Planning and Development | 20

Other | 0

Total No. of complaints: 132

Liverpool City Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 16

Benefits and Tax | 13

Corporate and Other Services | 9

Education and Children’s Services | 32

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 14

Highways and Transport | 15

Housing | 14

Planning and Development | 6

Other | 1

Total No. of complaints:120

Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 18

Benefits and Tax | 6

Corporate and Other Services | 5

Education and Children’s Services | 17

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 15

Highways and Transport | 4

Housing | 14

Planning and Development | 17

Other | 0

Total No. of complaints: 96

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 21

Benefits and Tax | 9

Corporate and Other Services | 5

Education and Children’s Services | 19

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 8

Highways and Transport | 5

Housing | 25

Planning and Development | 3

Other | 0

Total No. of complaints: 95

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 9

Benefits and Tax | 9

Corporate and Other Services | 4

Education and Children’s Services | 23

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 8

Highways and Transport | 1

Housing | 28

Planning and 10 Development |

Other | 0

Total No. of complaints: 92

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 13

Benefits and Tax | 9

Corporate and Other Services | 4

Education and Children’s Services | 20

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 11

Highways and Transport | 10

Housing | 7

Planning and Development | 12

Other | 0

Total No. of complaints: 86

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 14

Benefits and Tax | 6

Corporate and Other Services | 2

Education and Children’s Services | 38

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 6

Highways and Transport | 3

Housing | 5

Planning and Development | 8

Other | 0

Total No. of complaints: 82

Bury Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 4

Benefits and Tax | 8

Corporate and Other Services | 7

Education and Children’s Services | 35

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 6

Highways and Transport | 9

Housing | 6

Planning and Development | 4

Other | 1

Total No. of complaints: 80

Coventry City Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 10

Benefits and Tax | 9

Corporate and Other Services | 6

Education and Children’s Services | 23

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 5

Highways and Transport | 6

Housing | 14

Planning and Development | 4

Other | 2

Total No. of complaints: 79

Salford City Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 13

Benefits and Tax | 17

Corporate and Other Services | 2

Education and Children’s Services | 22

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 5

Highways and Transport | 6

Housing | 12

Planning and Development | 1

Other | 0

Total No. of complaints: 78

Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 12

Benefits and Tax | 2

Corporate and Other Services | 4

Education and Children’s Services | 16

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 10

Highways and Transport | 4

Housing | 23

Planning and Development | 2

Other | 1

Total No. of complaints: 74

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 16

Benefits and Tax | 1

Corporate and Other Services | 4

Education and Children’s Services | 22

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 8

Highways and Transport | 6

Housing | 1

Planning and Development | 13

Other | 2

Total No. of complaints: 73

South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 11

Benefits and Tax | 1

Corporate and Other Services | 11

Education and Children’s Services | 13

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 18

Highways and Transport | 6

Housing | 6

Planning and Development | 5

Other | 1

Total No. of complaints: 72

Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 15

Benefits and Tax | 4

Corporate and Other Services | 0

Education and Children’s Services | 14

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 15

Highways and Transport | 12

Housing | 7

Planning and Development | 3

Other | 1

Total No. of complaints: 71

Newcastle Upon Tyne City Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 17

Benefits and Tax | 6

Corporate and Other Services | 1

Education and Children’s Services | 18

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 9

Highways and Transport | 7

Housing | 8

Planning and Development | 0

Other | 0

Total No. of complaints: 66

Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 13

Benefits and Tax | 8

Corporate and Other Services | 8

Education and Children’s Services | 16

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 3

Highways and Transport | 5

Housing | 8

Planning and Development | 4

Other | 1

Total No. of complaints: 66

Doncaster City Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 9

Benefits and Tax | 5

Corporate and Other Services | 8

Education and Children’s Services | 15

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 6

Highways and Transport |1

Housing | 7

Planning and Development | 10

Other | 2

Total No. of complaints: 63

Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 13

Benefits and Tax | 6

Corporate and Other Services | 6

Education and Children’s Services | 19

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 4

Highways and Transport | 5

Housing | 7

Planning and Development | 1

Other | 1

Total No. of complaints: 62

Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 15

Benefits and Tax | 4

Corporate and Other Services | 0

Education and Children’s Services | 23

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 5

Highways and Transport | 1

Housing | 4

Planning and Development | 9

Other | 1

Total No. of complaints: 62

Wakefield City Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 11

Benefits and Tax | 3

Corporate and Other Services | 1

Education and Children’s Services | 19

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 4

Highways and Transport | 7

Housing | 5

Planning and Development | 11

Other | 0

Total No. of complaints: 61

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 10

Benefits and Tax | 2

Corporate and Other Services | 9

Education and Children’s Services | 11

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 3

Highways and Transport | 6

Housing | 9

Planning and Development | 5

Other | 1

Total No. of complaints: 56

St. Helens Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 14

Benefits and Tax | 1

Services | 8

Education and Children’s Services | 17

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 6

Highways and Transport | 4

Housing | 2

Planning and Development | 3

Other | 0

Total No. of complaints: 55

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 7

Benefits and Tax | 4

Corporate and Other Services | 0

Education and Children’s Services | 26

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 4

Highways and Transport | 2

Housing | 3

Planning and Development | 9

Other | 0

Total No. of complaints: 55

Sunderland City Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 17

Benefits and Tax | 4

Corporate and Other Services | 4

Education and Children’s Services | 11

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 10

Highways and Transport | 3

Housing | 0

Planning and Development | 2

Other | 2

Total No. of complaints: 53

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 8

Benefits and Tax | 4

Corporate and Other Services | 2

Education and Children’s Services | 20

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 6

Highways and Transport | 2

Housing | 3

Planning and Development | 8

Other | 0

Total No. of complaints: 53

Solihill Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 6

Benefits and Tax | 3

Corporate and Other Services | 1

Education and Children’s Services | 24

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 2

Highways and Transport | 3

Housing | 7

Planning and Development | 4

Other | 2

Total No. of complaints: 52

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 9

Benefits and Tax | 7

Corporate and Other Services | 7

Education and Children’s Services | 12

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 1

Highways and Transport | 1

Housing | 6

Planning and Development | 8

Other | 0

Total No. of complaints: 51

North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 16

Benefits and Tax | 4

Corporate and Other Services | 5

Education and Children’s Services | 10

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 5

Highways and Transport | 3

Housing | 5

Planning and Development | 2

Other | 0

Total No. of complaints: 50

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 11

Benefits and Tax | 2

Corporate and Other Services | 3

Education and Children’s Services | 17

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 5

Highways and Transport | 3

Housing | 4

Planning and Development | 4

Other | 0

Total No. of complaints: 49

Wolverhampton City Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 9

Benefits and Tax | 3

Corporate and Other Services | 2

Education and Children’s Services | 12

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 7

Highways and Transport | 3

Housing | 9

Planning and Development |3

Other | 0

Total No. of complaints: 48

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 3

Benefits and Tax | 2

Corporate and Other Services | 3

Education and Children’s Services | 18

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 7

Highways and Transport | 4

Housing | 8

Planning and Development | 1

Other | 1

Total No. of complaints: 47

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Complaints by Sector

Adult and Social Care | 8

Benefits and Tax | 4

Corporate and Other Services | 1

Education and Children’s Services | 11

Environmental Services, Public Protection and Regulation | 3

Highways and Transport | 2

Housing | 5

Planning and Development | 1

Other | 0

Total No. of complaints: 35

As UK councils face a funding crisis and potholes on Britain’s road continue to take their toll, LegalExpert conducted an investigation into the current state of UK roads.

We submitted Freedom of Information requests to every council in the UK asking how many current potholes remain unrepaired within the district.

We also asked how much was paid out in the last three years in repairs and how much compensation the council has paid out due to damage caused by potholes in the last year.

Results of our research

Below, you can find the results of our research, broken down by council district. If you don’t see your area, please check back. We update this page continuously as we receive new data.

West Berkshire Council

West Berkshire Council paid out more than £4 million in pothole repairs in the last three years.

A total of £1,012,045 was spent on potholes in the year 2020/21, followed by £956,662 in 2021/22, then £1,040,885.61 in 2022/23. Between 2023 and January 2024, £1,343,511 was spent on pothole repairs.

This amounts to an eye-watering £4,353,203.61 since 2020.

As of January 2024, there are currently 217 unrepaired potholes in the county.

Since January 2022, West Berkshire Council has paid out a total of £11,295.76 in compensation and legal fees relating to vehicle damage caused by potholes.

Norfolk County Council

Norfolk County Council has spent £5.7million on pothole repairs alone in the last three years.

From January to December 2021, the council spent £2,218,611 on pothole repair, followed by £1,424,918 in 2022 and £1,900,091 in 2023. 

So far in January 2024, £141,521 has been spent – meaning the authority is on track to spend a further £1,698,252 this year if the trajectory continues.

The amount spent since 2021 totals to £5,685,141.

Norfolk Council has paid out a total of £57,351 in compensation relating to vehicle damage caused by potholes since January 2022.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) spent more than £2 million on pothole repairs alone in the last three years.

In 2021, the Council spent £664,134 on pothole repairs, followed by £931,459 in 2022 and £697,902 in 2023. 

The total amounts to £2,293,495 since 2021.

LegalExpert’s investigation revealed that BCP Council paid out a total of £15,546 in compensation relating to vehicle damage caused by potholes since January 2022.

City of Doncaster Council

City of Doncaster Council has spent over £700K on pothole repairs alone in the last three years as Britain’s roads ‘fall into disrepair.’

In 2021, the Council spent £275,863.99 on pothole repairs, followed by £349,494.51 in 2022 and £167608.30 in 2023. 

The total amounts to a whopping £729,966.80.

Worcestershire Council

Worcestershire Council has spent a modest amount of pothole repairs in the last three years – Just over £40,000.

In 2021, the Council spent £15,068 on pothole repairs, followed by £14,578 in 2022 and £12,135 in 2023.

In January 2024, a total of £1,686, this means the council are on track to spend more than £20,000 on potholes this year if the trajectory continues.

The total spent on potholes to date since 2021 amounts to £43,467.

What’s more, Worcestershire Council received 24 claims for compensation following vehicle damage caused by potholes.

Between January 2022 and December 2023, the council paid out a total £26,060.05 in compensation.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

Bradford Council spends over half a million pounds on pothole repairs alone in the last three years.

Between 2020/21, the council spent £181,812.50, followed by £166,890.30 between 2021/22 and £181,867.00 between 2022/23.

The total amounts to £530,569.80.

What’s more, between January 2022-2024, a total of £7,274.74 was paid out in compensation for claims relating to vehicle damage caused by potholes.

Isle of Anglesey Council

The Isle of Anglesey Council spends £1.3 million on pothole repairs alone in the last three years.

Between 2021/22, the council spent £520,918, followed by £416,878 between 2022/23 and £365,558 from 2023 to January 2024. 

The total amounts to £1,303,354.

Merton Council

Merton Council spends just under £1 million on pothole repairs alone in the last three years.

In 2021, the council spent £314,289.56, followed by £216,858.83 in 2022 and £403,766.43 in 2023. 

The total amounts to £934,914.82.

Currently, the council admits there are 152 outstanding potholes in the district which, if left unrepaired, pose a “serious danger” to all road users, according to the RAC.

LegalExpert’s investigation also revealed that Merton Council has paid out a total of £1,783.15 for claims concerning vehicle damage caused by potholes between Jan 2022 and Jan 24.

Orkney Islands Council

A Scottish Council spends £1.5million on pothole repairs alone in the last three years.

In 2021, the council spent £634,425.68, followed by £533,673.05 in 2022 and £491,278.29 up to November 2023. 

The total amounts to £1,569,377.02

Currently, the council admits there are 185 outstanding potholes in the district.

The council was asked how much compensation it had paid out in claims relating to vehicle damage caused by potholes.

It confirmed that Orkney Islands Council does not settle compensation for claimable incidents but its liability insurers have settled just £727.27 between January 2022 and December 2023. 

North Tyneside Council

North Tyneside Council spent more than £400K on pothole repairs alone in the  last three years.

In 2021, the council spent £153,362.82, followed by £104,827.76 in 2022 and £155,062.74 in 2023. A further £7,326.64 was spent in January 2024

The total amounts to £420,579.96.

Currently, there are 52 outstanding potholes in the district as of January 2024.

The council confirmed it has spent just £2,706.69 in compensation for claims concerning vehicle damage caused by potholes between Jan 2023 and Jan 2024. #

Dundee County Council

Dundee County Council spends more than £800,000 on pothole repairs alone in the last three years.

In 2021, the council spent £303,865, followed by £355,602 in 2022 and £152,620 in 2023.

The total amounts to £812,087 in the last three years. 

Currently, the council admits there are a staggering 653 outstanding potholes in the city- some of the biggest figures so far in our nation-wide investigation. If left unrepaired, the craters pose a “serious danger” to all road users, according to the RAC.

Despite its high figures, the council has only paid out a total of £1150.50 in compensation claims relating to vehicle damage caused by potholes since 2022. 

Scottish Borders Council

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) spends a staggering £9.6 million on pothole repairs alone in the last three years as Britain’s roads ‘fall into disrepair.’

Borders Council has spent millions more on fixing potholes than any other authority 

Between 2020/21, the council spent £2,504,308, followed by £3,273,217 between 2021/22 and £3,822,568 between 2022/23.

The total amounts to £9,600,093 in the last three years.

SBC has paid out a total of £17,389.53 in compensation claims relating to vehicle damage caused by potholes since 2022. 

When asked about the current number of outstanding potholes, the Council said the data is not stored in an “accessible manner” and that they are developing a new digital Asset Management System.

Rotherham Council

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council spends close to £1 million on pothole repairs alone in the last three years.

In 2021, the council spent £354,119.81, followed by £347,376.77 in 2022 and £254,773.78 in 2023. 

In January this year, the authority spent £38,231.24 meaning it is on track for its biggest annual payout of around £459,000 if the trajectory continues.

The total amounts to £994,501.60 in the last three years.

Rotherham MBC has paid just £12,765 in compensation claims relating to vehicle damage caused by potholes since 2022. 

The council admits to currently having 395 outstanding potholes which, if left unrepaired pose a “serious danger” to all road users, according to the RAC.

Torfaen Borough County Council

Torfaen County Borough Council has spent £3 million on pothole repairs in the last three years.

Between 2021/22, the council spent £905,542, followed by £1,152,867 between 2022/23. A further £991,086 from 2023 to January 2024. 

The total amounts to £3,049,495.

But what’s more, Torfaen CBC only paid out £440 in compensation relating to vehicle damage caused by potholes since January 2022.

To date, the council admits there are currently 48 unresolved potholes in the district.

Hull County Council

Hull Council has spent around £3 million on pothole repairs in the last three years.

Between 2021/22, the council spent £1,140,000, followed by £1,089,627 between 2022/23. A further £755,836 was spent from 2023 to January 2024. 

The total amounts to £2,985,463.

Moreover, Hull CC paid out £4,814.06 in compensation claims and legal fees relating to vehicle damage caused by potholes since January 2022

To date, the council admits there are currently 200 outstanding potholes in the district.

Oxfordshire County Council

Oxfordshire County Council has spent £10 million on pothole repairs in the last three years.

With a population of around 144,200, it has spent far more that other UK councils that are three times its size.

As councils are now facing a major financial crisis with a £4bn funding gap estimated in the next two years, some authorities have forked out huge amounts in road maintenance repairs but very little in compensation for damages.

Between 2020/21, the council spent £2,379,650.00, followed by £2,555,175.00 between 2021/22. A further £2,520,598.00 was forked out between 2022/23 as well as £3,013,080.00 between 2023/24.

The total amounts to £10,468,503.

Oxfordshire County Council has confirmed it has paid out a total of £192,720 in compensation claims relating to vehicle damage caused by potholes between 2022 and 2024.

To date, the authority admits there are currently 1, 048 outstanding potholes in the district.

Gateshead Council

Gateshead Council has spent around £1.3 million on pothole repairs in the last three years.

In 2021, the council spent £447,871, followed by £348,628 in 2022. A further £460, 228 was spent in 2023. 

The total amounts to  £1,256,727

Moreover, Gateshead Council paid out £5,919.26 in compensation claims and legal fees relating to vehicle damage caused by potholes since January 2022

To date, the council admits there are currently 404 outstanding potholes in the district.

Bristol City Council

Bristol City Council has spent more than £1 million on pothole repairs in the last three years.

In 2021, the council spent £299,400, followed by £400,010 in 2022. A further £431,375 was spent in 2023. 

The total amounts to  £1,130,785.

Moreover, Bristol City Council paid out £14,832 in compensation claims and legal fees relating to vehicle damage caused by potholes since January 2022

To date, the council admits there are currently 466 outstanding potholes in the district.

Barking & Dagenham London Borough Council

Barking & Dagenham London Borough Council (LBC) spent £2.2 million on pothole repairs alone in the last three years.

Between 2021/22, the council spent £729,500.00, followed by £745,500.00 between 2022/23. A further £745,500.00 from 2023 to January 2024. 

The total amounts to £2,220,500.

What’s more, Barking & Dagenham LBC has paid out just £3,673.65 in compensation relating to vehicle damage caused by potholes since January 2022.