INDUCTION PROGRAMME FOR THE NEW LOCAL GOVERNMENT OMBUDSMAN (YORK OFFICE)
OBJECTIVES
1. To understand the CLAE's governance arrangements including the role of the Commission.
2. To understand the current organisational and management issues within the York office.
3. To become familiar with the authorities and other stakeholders within the area of the York office.
4. To learn about the Ombudsman's jurisdiction and practice in handling complaint investigations and about monitoring and advice on casework.
5. To learn about the Commission's public value agenda and its approach to initiating, leading and implementing change.
6. To increase understanding of the external environment in relation to the work of the Ombudsman.
OUTLINE PROGRAMME
Chairman, Chief Executive and LGO - London:
The Commission
Role of Chairman and CE
Corporate Planning
Public Value Programme:
Profile
Accessibility
Communications
Annual Letters
Special Reports
Annual Report
Council visits
Guidance and training
Link Officer Seminars
Equality and diversity
Quality and efficiency
CPA
Funding
Governance - Code of Conduct
Staff development
Interface between LGO's
The Regulatory Environment
Public Sector Ombudsmen
BIOA
IOI
Relations:
Government
The Courts
LGA
SOLACE / ACSeS
Voluntary Sector
Regulators
BIOA
IOI & EOI
Complaint trends
Ombudsman Watch
LGO - Coventry:
Role of LGO
Jurisdiction
Interpretation and application of Local Government Act 1974
New handbook (replacing investigation manual)
Maladministration
Injustice
Remedies
Reports
Local settlements
Sample monitoring
Deputy Ombudsman - York:
The York office
Delegation scheme
Office management
Local culture
Performance
LGO / Deputy interface
Role of AOs
Secretary to the Commission and Deputy Chief Executive:
Corporate support to the Commission
Deputies' Group activity
FOI / Records management
Customer satisfaction
Quality and efficiency
Change implementation
Commission Secretary role
The Business Plan
Head of Finance and Estates:
Financial structure
Budget preparation
Budgetary control
Accounting arrangements
Account holders meetings
Estates matters
Head of Human Resources:
Employee relations
Recruitment processes
Development and training
Pay and conditions of service
Employment practices and procedures
Disciplinary procedures
Competency framework
Appraisal systems
Head of Policy and Research:
Policy development
Research activity
Responses to consultation documents
Progressing change
Head of Communications:
Improving profile
Communications Strategy
Media relations
Accessibility
Web development
Head of IT:
IT Strategy
Local IT presence
COMTRAC and its review
Systems development
IT support
Legal Adviser to the Commission:
Local Government Act 1974
Case law
Judicial Review
Human Rights
Regulatory Reform Order
Courts and Tribunal Bill
FOIA and DPA
Role of legal adviser
Use of external advice:
MBRM
Bevan Brittan
David Goldman
Use of counsel
PLUS a meeting with an Assistant Ombudsman and an Investigator both from York to talk about:
Team structure
Allocation of complaints
Advice Calls service
Investigative practice
Exercise of delegations
Screening of complaints
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