Decision details

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Decisions:

The Director of Legal Services provided Cabinet Members with the details of the publication of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales’ (‘PSOW’) Annual Report and Annual Letter to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council for 2018-2019.

 

In addition, Members were provided with a brief overview of the new powers attributed to the Public Services Ombudsman through the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019, which included allowing the PSOW to undertake own initiative investigations when required in the public interest.

 

Whilst going through the Annual report Members were provided with a general summary of complaints received and acted upon by the Ombudsman before the Director advised of the position in respect of RCT.  Members learnt that during 2018-2019 36 complaints (for periods 2017/2018 – 36 and 2016/2017 – 47) were received by the PSOW relating to RCT. Adjusted for population the average expected to be received by the PSOW for a local authority the size of Rhondda Cynon Taf would be 68, and the Director added that this figure compares favourably. Zero complaints were investigated by the PSOW against an average (adjusted for population size) of 2 Wales wide.

 

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Council Business spoke positively of the report and its findings in respect of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and also referenced the new powers available to the Ombudsman Office in respect of the 2019 Act and how these would be used going forward.

 

It was RESOLVED:

 

1.    To note the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales’ Annual Report and Annual Letter to RCTCBC Council 2018-2019.

Publication date: 11/09/2019

Date of decision: 11/09/2019

Decided at meeting: 11/09/2019 - Cabinet

Effective from: 18/09/2019

Accompanying Documents: