Commentary on Sections Introduction
415.The Commission for Local Administration, more commonly known as the Local Government Ombudsmen, is an independent body established under Part 3 of the Local Government Act 1974. The Commission comprises a body of Commissioners, consisting of the Local Commissioners themselves, any advisory Commissioners who have been appointed, and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.
416.The Local Commissioners may conduct investigations into complaints from members of the public that they have sustained injustice in consequence of maladministration by certain authorities. The Local Commissioners may also give advice and guidance to authorities on good administrative practice. The Local Commissioners’ jurisdiction covers all local authorities (excluding town and parish councils); police authorities; education appeal panels; and a range of other bodies providing local public services.
417.Part 9 of this Act clarifies and updates the Local Commissioners’ jurisdiction to reflect modern means of local service delivery. It also clarifies and modifies their powers of investigation. It provides for changes to the appointment and removal of the Commissioners, greater flexibility in how complainants access the Commissioners’ service, and wider powers for the Commissioners to delegate their functions. It also amends the funding and reporting requirements on the Commission, and clarifies the Commissioners’ power to issue and publish reports and statements.