9. Written evidence from The British
and Irish Ombudsman Association
The British and Irish Ombudsman Association
welcomes the new legislation which it believes will provide a
coherent basis for a unified public services ombudsman scheme
for the people of Wales.
The Association has had a the opportunity to
read the memoranda submitted by Ms Ann Abraham, Parliamentary
and Health Service Ombudsman, and Mr Tony Redmond, Chairman of
the Commission for Local Administration in England, and endorses
the following key points made by them:
— The importance of cooperation
and joint working between ombudsmen, especially in areas of overlapping
responsibility such as public health and civil defence.
— The need for consultation between
the Welsh Public Services Ombudsman and other ombudsmen in appropriate
cases. The Association particularly welcomes the provision of
specific powers for the ombudsmen to carry out joint investigations
and publish joint reports.
— The facility for the people
of Wales to have direct access to the Ombudsman without the requirement
that a complaint about a government department must be made through
a member of the Welsh Assembly.
— The emphasis on resolving complaints
at the earliest possible stage without having always to proceed
to formal investigation. This is in line with the approach which
increasingly ombudsmen in both the public and private sectors
are now taking.
— The provision of a power to
give guidance to organisations within the Ombudsman's jurisdiction
and the expectation that they will follow the guidance unless
there is a good reason not to do so.
— The need for the English Local
Government Ombudsmen and the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
to retain explicit powers to transfer cases between them.
Gordon Adams
Secretary
11 January 2005
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