Agenda item

That the Committee note the number and type of complaints

The Monitoring Officer presented the report and confirmed that he had received more decisions since the report was prepared, but they would be reported to a later meeting. To assist Members, he had greyed out the cases which had already been considered.

  An overview was provided of the complaints received, information on those which were still under investigation and the number of complaints rejected at the outset by the Ombudsman on the grounds of lack of evidence was highlighted. This was part of the Ombudsman’s two stage test with information on the evidence and process required together with the detail included in the letters of rejection. It was difficult to identify any specific themes but there were elements of bullying which was the only theme which came through.

The Chair referred to the Annual Report of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales which highlighted an increase in the number of complaints involving issues around equality and respect. She asked if the Monitoring Officer felt that this was reflected in Flintshire’s complaints. In response the Monitoring Officer commented that two or three of the complaints included bullying which overlapped with equality and respect and was reported as a breach of the Code.

The Monitoring Officer then referred to the Summary Report which related to a complaint following the Election last year. An overview of the complaint was provided together with reference to its impact on social media. The complainant had, following a year in the role, asked the Ombudsman to withdraw the complaint. The Ombudsman had taken this into account but commented that the term “bought” which had been used in the social media posts was disrespectful and had brought the authority into disrepute. This case would have proceeded to a hearing because of the terminology used. The complaint included an element of bullying which the Ombudsman did not support but concluded it was disrespectful and implied impropriety. Because of the public apology on social media and the complainant not wishing to take this forward, the case was not referred for a hearing. The Ombudsman’s findings were that there had been a breach of the Code. The summary text would be published on the Ombudsman’s website and would be referred to in the next “my findings” report. The Monitoring Officer had asked the Ombudsman for a more detailed report to share with the Committee in private session but he was still awaiting a response from them.

The Chair referred to the report which would be published on the Ombudsman’s website and asked if the Standards Committee and the County Council were obliged to publish anything on its website. The Monitoring Officer confirmed that it did not as there was only a requirement to publish the outcome of a hearing by the Adjudication Panel for Wales.

The Chair referred to the feedback in the summary report and whilst waiting for the fuller report asked if any specific training should be considered. The Monitoring Officer felt that this could be covered within the training provided.

The recommendation, as amended, was moved and seconded by Councillor Antony Wren and Jacqueline Guest.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee note the number and type of complaints