Issue - meetings

Further to the Ombudsman Complaint Statistics report presented at the last meeting, to receive an oral update from officers in relation to the subject matter of the miscellaneous category of 6 complaints referred to by the Ombudsman, and to receive statistical data in relation to complaints applicable to other neighbouring authorities. 

Further to the request made by the Committee at its previous meeting, the Deputy Monitoring Officer provided an update on the subject matter of the six "other" complaints referred to in the annual statistics compiled by the office of the Local Government Ombudsman on complaints recorded against the Council during the twelve month period ending 31st March 2007.  It was noted that the complaints covered: leisure and culture; homelessness; waste management; enforcement (Planning - although it was not known why this had not been included in the category of Planning and Building Control); transport and highways (this complaint having been referred to the County Council); and a miscellaneous matter.

Statistics were also provided in relation to Ombudsman complaints listed for other local authorities within Worcestershire.  Although Bromsgrove had the highest number of complaints determined, none of these had resulted in a finding of maladministration.  The Committee noted that the Council encouraged the right of parties to complain where this was felt to be necessary and there was a legitimate case for doing so.

RESOLVED that the position be noted.