Ombudsman Congratulates Council for Complaint Handling as Zero Complaints are Uphelp Against the Council
The Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) has issued a letter to East Staffordshire Borough Council providing a summary of the complaints he received about the Council.
In the 2007- 2008 period the Ombudsman received eight complaints against East Staffordshire Borough Council, two fewer than in 2006 - 2007.
Half of these complaints were regarding planning and building control matters, two concerned benefits and there were single complaints about antisocial behaviour and transport and highway matters.
When the Ombudsman receives a complaint that he has the power to investigate, he issues the Council with a report on actions that need to be taken. Alternatively a 'local settlement' is agreed where the Council agrees to take satisfactory action to address the complaint.
This year no reports were issued to East Staffordshire Borough Council and none of the complaints were subject to local settlement, and the Ombudsman even goes on to congratulate the Council in its "excellent" record here. This means that none of the complaints were upheld.
Corporate Director at East Staffordshire Borough Council, Andy O'Brien, said: "This is excellent news for East Staffordshire Borough Council as we work to continue to provide quality services for our residents.
"The LGO's letter also goes on to say that the figures he has indicate that the Council handles complaints in a robust and effective way, which is also an indication that we are moving in the right direction."
However, the LGO did add that the Council's average response time to his enquiries made regarding two complaints this year was 31 days, an improvement on last year's 36 days but still outside the LGO target of 28 days.
But the Ombudsman goes on to add: "I hope the council will make renewed efforts in this area, to match its otherwise excellent performance."
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