Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Paragraph: 159
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman expressed concerns about its oversight of combined authorities,...
Conclusion
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman expressed concerns about its oversight of combined authorities, pointing to uncertainties over its jurisdiction and a loss of oversight when unitarisation occurred. We agree that proper complaints procedures should be in place in all combined authorities. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s jurisdiction should also apply to services such as passenger transport authorities which are integrated into combined authorities unless there are equivalent complaint procedures already in place. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman should also be given jurisdiction over those powers which were formerly exercised by district councils which have been passed by unitary authorities to parish, town and community councils.
Paragraph Reference:
159
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman have raised their concerns with the Department regarding their oversight of combined authorities and some town and parish councils. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s Triennial Review contained proposals intended to address these concerns. The Department is working in partnership with the Department for Education and the Department for Health and Social Care to consider the Triennial Review’s recommendations and will respond in due course.