Local Government Ombudsman Tony Redmond retires

After nine years as Local Government Ombudsman (LGO), Tony Redmond will retire from the post on 11 November.

After nine years as Local Government Ombudsman (LGO), Tony Redmond will retire from the post on 11 November. He says:

“The role of Local Government Ombudsman has been a most rewarding one, offering challenge, variety and considerable job satisfaction. Those who have not had the privilege of working in such an environment many have little idea of the nature and breadth of the role. To be able to remedy injustice suffered by citizens across the whole social spectrum adds value to society and places the Ombudsman in a somewhat unique position.”

In his years as Ombudsman and Chairman of the Commission for Local Administration in England (the official title of the body that runs the LGO service), Mr Redmond has led the organisation through many challenges: from introducing a new advice team that handles all initial enquiries and complaints, to designing new services to manage the expansion of the LGO’s work to cover complaints about the provision of social care in the private and not-for-profit sectors. This has been at the same time as continuing to provide an efficient and effective service that is consistent with a rapidly changing local government environment and rising customer expectations.

Mr Redmond’s last day of service is 11 November 2010. Until his successor is appointed, Ombudsmen Jane Martin (based in the LGO’s Coventry office) and Anne Seex (based in the LGO’s York office) will divide the work of the London office between them. Jane Martin will also take the role of Acting Chairman of the Commission for Local Administration in England.

Notes for editors

  • At the time of Tony Redmond’s appointment, Local Government Ombudsmen were required to retire upon reaching the age of 65. 
  • Following a change in legislation in 2008, new Ombudsmen are appointed for a set period of seven years.
  • Before becoming a Local Government Ombudsman, Mr Redmond was Chief Executive of the London Borough of Harrow. Prior to that he served as Treasurer and Deputy Chief Executive of Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council and also Treasurer to the Merseyside Police Authority. He has also held senior posts in Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council and Liverpool City Council.
  • Local Government Ombudsmen investigate complaints about local authorities and certain other bodies.
  • There are three Local Government Ombudsmen in England and they each deal with complaints from different parts of the country.
  • The Local Government Ombudsmen:
    • are appointed by Her Majesty the Queen
    • are independent of Government and councils
    • have the same powers as the High Court to obtain information and documents, and
    • are committed to giving an equal service to all members of the public.
  • There is no charge for using the Ombudsman’s service.
  • The Ombudsmen received over 18,000 complaints and enquiries in 2009/10. In about 28% of cases investigated, the complainant obtains redress. 
  • To find out how to make a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman, call the LGO Advice Team on 0300 061 0614, or email advice@lgo.org.uk or text 0762 480 4299.
     

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Article date: 05 November 2010

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