| Local Government Ombudsman Watch |
Why the unaccountable 'Local Government Ombudsman' is not a
real ombudsman - by Trevor R Nunn
real ombudsman - by Trevor R Nunn
I think is is important for all LGOWatch supporters to be aware of the following information.
Most people are aware that the LGO was set up by the Government in 1974. However, many people do
not realise that the organisation `Justice' had a large part to play in the Government of the day's
decision to introduce a Local Government Ombudsman. (Further information can be obtained from the
LGO's website and other online organisations.)
In addition, many people are also aware that Ombudsmen have their own association known as the
`BIOA', - the British and Irish Ombudsman Association. (Further information can be obtained from their
website.) As with many organisations, the BIOA have entry criteria. As far as the BIOA are concerned,
one of the four criteria that enables people to call themselves Ombudsmen is 'accountability'. Legally, at
this moment in time, there is nothing to stop anyone calling themselves an Ombudsman. However,
membership of the BOIA is supposed to be limited to those that meet their criteria.
Most of us are aware that the LGOs are members of the BOIA. The question I would like to raise is how,
given that they are not accountable at the moment.
However, following further research, I found that Justice are actually on record stating that the LGO's
are not accountable, but that they should be.
Even the LGO, in a response to an early consultation document regarding the unified Ombudsman
service, stated that they would not mind becoming accountable, the implication of that being that they
currently are not.
Furthermore, If you look at the new proposed unified Public Ombudsmen system, you will find that the
Government are also going to give the LGO the powers to settle cases in the future. Why? There can
be only one conclusion: because they do not have the statutory powers to settle cases now.
Therefore, the LGO has, without accountability, managed to join the BIOA, to call themselves
'Ombudsmen', and to introduce Local Settlements without statutory authority.
You can understand why the Government wants to amend the Ombudsmen's powers and introduce
accountability and ADRs. They are just removing a few 'problem areas' for the benefit of the
Ombudsmen, and not improving the system for the complainant.
Trevor R Nunn, October 2005
Most people are aware that the LGO was set up by the Government in 1974. However, many people do
not realise that the organisation `Justice' had a large part to play in the Government of the day's
decision to introduce a Local Government Ombudsman. (Further information can be obtained from the
LGO's website and other online organisations.)
In addition, many people are also aware that Ombudsmen have their own association known as the
`BIOA', - the British and Irish Ombudsman Association. (Further information can be obtained from their
website.) As with many organisations, the BIOA have entry criteria. As far as the BIOA are concerned,
one of the four criteria that enables people to call themselves Ombudsmen is 'accountability'. Legally, at
this moment in time, there is nothing to stop anyone calling themselves an Ombudsman. However,
membership of the BOIA is supposed to be limited to those that meet their criteria.
Most of us are aware that the LGOs are members of the BOIA. The question I would like to raise is how,
given that they are not accountable at the moment.
However, following further research, I found that Justice are actually on record stating that the LGO's
are not accountable, but that they should be.
Even the LGO, in a response to an early consultation document regarding the unified Ombudsman
service, stated that they would not mind becoming accountable, the implication of that being that they
currently are not.
Furthermore, If you look at the new proposed unified Public Ombudsmen system, you will find that the
Government are also going to give the LGO the powers to settle cases in the future. Why? There can
be only one conclusion: because they do not have the statutory powers to settle cases now.
Therefore, the LGO has, without accountability, managed to join the BIOA, to call themselves
'Ombudsmen', and to introduce Local Settlements without statutory authority.
You can understand why the Government wants to amend the Ombudsmen's powers and introduce
accountability and ADRs. They are just removing a few 'problem areas' for the benefit of the
Ombudsmen, and not improving the system for the complainant.
Trevor R Nunn, October 2005
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