Dear Sir or Madam,

I would like to know,

a) how many findings of maladministration the local government
ombudsman has made against your council over the last 10 years.

b) how many findings of maladministration your council, either in
full or in part, has refused to accept.

c) how many findings of maladministration your council has accepted
but refused to comply, either in full or in part, with the local
government ombudsman's recommended remedy.

Yours faithfully,

A Johnson (Mrs)

Thank you for submitting a Service Request to Braintree District Council. Your request is currently being processed.

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Regards,

Customer Service Centre
Tel: 01376 552525
Email: [Braintree District Council request email]

show quoted sections

Dear Mrs Johnson

I refer to your Freedom of Information requested sent by email to
Braintree District Council 24th August 2008. In response to your request
I write to advise that the Council hold the following information. For
ease of reference your requests are repeated below with the Council
response in red.

a) how many findings of maladministration the local government ombudsman
has made against your council over the last 10 years.

Answer:

There have been no instances over the past 10 years where the Ombudsman
has concluded an investigation and issued a formal report finding
maladministration.

However, there are a small number of Ombudsman cases each year which
result in a 'local settlement'. A local settlement is a complaint where,
during the course of the Ombudsman's investigation, the Council has agreed
to take some action that the Ombudsman considers is a satisfactory
response to the complaint. The investigation is then discontinued.

The number of cases settled locally over the past ten years is set out
below:-

07/08 - 4
06/07 - 2
05/06 - 4
04/05 - 1
03/04 - 2
02/03 - 2
01/02 - 0
00/01 - 1
99/00 - 1
98/99 - 2
b) how many findings of maladministration your council, either in full or
in part, has refused to accept.
Answer

Nil.

c) how many findings of maladministration your council has accepted but
refused to comply, either in full or in part, with the local government
ombudsman's recommended remedy.

Answer

Nil
Yours sincerely

Emma Wisbey
Governance Lawyer
Ext: 2610
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