Statistics Index

Local Government Ombudsman Statistics

Complaint statistics: 1974/5 to 1998/9

Complaint statistics: 1998 to 2008

Number of complaints determined

Local Settlements

Local settlement is used to describe the outcome of a complaint where, during the course of the Ombudsman's consideration of the complaint, the council takes, or agrees to take, some action that the Ombudsman considers is a satisfactory response to the complaint and the investigation is discontinued. This may occur, for example, in any of the following circumstances.

The council on its own initiative says that there was fault that caused injustice, and proposes a remedy which the Ombudsman accepts is satisfactory.
The council accepts the suggestion by the Ombudsman, as an independent person, that there was fault which caused injustice, and agrees a remedy which the Ombudsman accepts is satisfactory.
The council does not consider that there was fault but is able to take some action which the Ombudsman accepts is a satisfactory outcome.
The council and the complainant themselves agree upon a course of action and the Ombudsman sees no reason to suggest any different outcome; or
The Ombudsman considers that, even if the investigation were to continue, no better outcome would be likely to be achieved for the complainant than the action the council has already taken or agreed.

Ombudsman's discretion

Complaints described as terminated by Ombudsman’s discretion are those that have been terminated because, for example;

The complainant wishes to withdraw his or her complaint.
The complainant has moved away and the Ombudsman is no longer able to contact him or her.
The complainant decides to take court action.
The Ombudsman finds there is no or insufficient injustice to justify continuing the investigation.

Outside the Ombudsman's jurisdiction

The Ombudsmen can investigate most types of complaints against local authorities. But there are some things the law does not allow them to investigate, such as