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Written question asked by Julian Sturdy (Conservative) on Wednesday, 1 July 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 July 2015. It was answered by Marcus Jones (Conservative) on Monday, 13 July 2015 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Commission for Local Administration in England

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to improve public accountability of the Local Government Ombudsman.

Answer

The Local Government Ombudsman is independent of both Government and local authorities as regards their determination of specific cases but is accountable to Parliament for the performance of the Local Government Ombudsman service and is statutorily required to lay before Parliament its annual report and accounts.

In addition the Communities and Local Government Committee have held inquiries into the service's work which has involved the Local Government Ombudsman giving evidence before the Committee.

In the Queen's Speech, the Government announced that it would publish a draft Bill creating a single Public Service Ombudsman in this Parliamentary session. In establishing such a Public Services Ombudsman which will improve redress when things go wrong, the Government would put arrangements in place to ensure that there is clear and transparent accountability for this new Ombudsman service.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
5057
Session
2015-16
Subjects
Accountability Local Government Ombudsman
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk