William Eichler 16 February 2018

Ombudsman issues ‘rare’ second report criticising council

A council has received a second warning after failing to comply with recommendations made by the local government Ombudsman.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGO) has issued a rare further report into the Council of the Isles of Scilly after it failed to comply with recommendations made last August.

The LGO’s original report was not published because of fears the family might be identified. The population of the isles is just over 2,000.

‘While I appreciate the council is in a difficult position with regards to members discussing the original report in public, the council still needs to keep the communication channels open with my office and confirm its intended actions,’ said LGO Michael King.

‘Since we chased the council about its response to the initial report it has - albeit belatedly- sent an apology to the family and provided part of the financial remedy recommended.

‘The council’s failure to respond properly to the original report has shown a great deal of disrespect to the family, and can have only compounded their sense of injustice.’

‘I am disappointed it took prompting and the threat of this further report for the council to provide part of the remedy it had previously agreed,’ continued Mr King.

‘It still needs to provide evidence it has complied with other aspects of the original recommendations, including for their loss of services, which were clearly set out in the original report and have remained consistent throughout our regular correspondence with the council.’

The Ombudsman said the council should ensure it complies with the recommendations set out in the original report and provide evidence of this without delay.

It also ordered the council to pay the family an additional £250 for the injustice caused by having to issue a further report.

The council has been approach for comment.

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know image

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know

Councils and mayors are to be handed a central role in developing skills pipelines for local industries, as the Government unveils what it calls a ‘fundamental change’ to the education system aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Here's what council leaders and officers need to know.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Starting Point Hub Navigator (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
£28,598 - £31,537
The overarching aim of the Starting Point Hub is to reduce the number of individuals sleeping rough Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Street Cleansing Technician x 2 Posts

City Of Doncaster Council
£25,584
Do you enjoy working outside, as part of a team that make a direct difference to the communities Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Operations Officer

North Yorkshire Council
£34,434- £38,220 per annum
Are you an experienced operational leader looking for an opportunity to make a visible difference to local communities? Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Lead Child Protection Practitioner

Gloucestershire County Council
£52,413 - £54,495 per annum
Be at the forefront of protecting children in Gloucestershire Gloucestershire
Recuriter: Gloucestershire County Council

Family Help Team Leader

Gloucestershire County Council
£48,226 - £51,356
Make a real difference to children and families Gloucestershire
Recuriter: Gloucestershire County Council
Linkedin Banner