Incoming Ombudsman rules out easing standard of scrutiny for councils in financial difficulties

The proposed Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has said there will be no reduction in the standard of scrutiny for councils that are facing financial issues, despite the rising number of authorities issuing section 114 notices.

Amardeep Somal, who was named the preferred candidate for the role earlier this month, gave the comments while being questioned by the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee on Monday (18 September).

During the committee session, Somal reflected on the increasing number of councils issuing section 114 notices and considered whether she would change her approach to a complaint due to a council's financial position.

On this point, she said: "It seems to me that where you have councils under financial stress as we do - and if the reporting is accurate, there are several more coming into that position too - then of course they will be under severe pressure [...] then services will slip."

She then added: "So for me, the question is: do we as the Ombudsman service take a different approach? And in truth, my view is we can't possibly take a different approach because actually, if you are, for example, a carer or a parent or a pupil [etc.], then you still want the council to provide good standards of service, and the fact that councils are under pressure, I don't think necessarily means service users should be bearing the brunt of that.

"So would we, for example, be looking to lower our standards? I don't think we can actually because the public will still be expecting us to hold councils to account when they have a legitimate cause for complaint."

Somal will replace the interim Ombudsman, Paul Najsarek, in January 2024.

Adam Carey