NALC's Larger Councils Committee gets briefed by the ombudsman

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Larger Councils Committee was briefed by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) on 21 September 2021.

Michael Hyatt, an LGSCO investigator, spoke to the committee on the body's background and the scope of its work in the future. The LGSCO recognised the value of local councils. There was a recognition that the LGSCO would need to continue to be flexible and responsive to local government needs into the future. There will also likely be a consultation later this year, with pilot work likely to follow that over the next four years.

It has been the longstanding policy of NALC that the ombudsman should cover local (parish and town) councils.

The LGSCO looks at complaints about councils and other authorities and organisations, including education admissions appeal panels and adult social care providers (such as care homes and home care providers). The service is free, independent and impartial.