Ombudsman

• Councils must ensure parking fines are issued correctly, Ombudsman says

  The local government Ombudsman has urged councils to ensure they are using the correct legislation to issue parking fines at country parks.

  

• Brokenshire announces ‘overhaul’ of housing complaints system

  Communities secretary James Brokenshire today announced an overhaul of what he describes as a ‘broken’ housing complaints system.

  

• Carers leave vulnerable woman ‘screaming in pain'

  A vulnerable woman in Blackpool was left with serious burns on her leg after carers left her too close to a hot radiator, the local government Ombudsman has found.

  

• Councils must act on care service complaints, ombudsman says

  Councils facing a rising tide of complaints from the public about care services must listen to them and take action, the government regulator has warned.

  

• Social work failings stopped parents visiting dying baby

  A council has apologised for the ‘distress’ of a family who were unable to spend time with their dying baby due to social work failings.

  

• A sign of cutting corners?

  With figures revealing the number of complaints about local councils are on the rise, what does this say about the performance of the sector? Neil Merrick investigates.

  

• Partial ban on flammable cladding ‘does not go far enough’, firefighters warn

  The Government has announced new measures to support homebuyers, get more homes built, improve building safety and create a 'Commonwealth Games legacy.'

  

• Councils often fail to explain planning decisions, LGO says

  Local authorities frequently fail to explain the reasons behind planning decisions, Ombudsman says as he publishes guidance for planners.

  

• Council apologises for ‘failing’ disabled boy’s family

  Doncaster council has admitted to ‘failing’ the family of a disabled boy after they waited three years for the special adaptations their home required.

  

• Council fined for ‘unfairly’ changing school admission arrangements

  Nottinghamshire County Council has been criticised for ‘unfairly’ changing its school admission arrangements and forcing parents to send siblings to separate schools.