Taxi and private hire vehicle licensing This fact sheet is aimed at people who are concerned that the council is not taking appropriate action over issues relating to taxis and private hire vehicles and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I am unhappy with the way the council has handled my concerns about taxi or private hire vehicle licensing. Can the Ombudsman help me? We ca ...

Scrutiny questions Suggested questions to help councillors scrutinise their local services We believe that complaints raised by the public can be an important source of information to help councillors identify issues that are affecting local people. Complaints can therefore play a key part in supporting the scrutiny of public services. Below are range of questions that councillors could ask their ...

Scrutiny questions Suggested questions to help councillors scrutinise their local services We believe that complaints raised by the public can be an important source of information to help councillors identify issues that are affecting local people. Complaints can therefore play a key part in supporting the scrutiny of public services. Below are range of questions that councillors could ask their ...

School admissions This fact sheet is aimed primarily at parents and carers of children who have not been offered a place at their preferred school and who may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. (If your concerns are about infant class size, see our fact sheet on infant class size appeals). My child did not get a place at the school we applied to. Can I complain to the Ombudsman? ...

Possessions in council storage This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people who have experienced problems with the way the council has looked after their possessions while dealing with their homelessness application and who may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. The council did not look after my possessions properly when it accepted me as homeless. Can the Ombudsman help me? In m ...

Parking enforcement This fact sheet is aimed primarily at people who have concerns about a penalty charge notice (PCN) that was issued by a council in relation to a parking contravention and who may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I have received a penalty charge notice relating to a parking contravention. Can the Ombudsman help me? Most councils in England operate what is kno ...

Travel and subsistence policy Introduction This Policy sets out the rules as to how members of staff can claim for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties for the LGSCO and the details of the principles and rules relating to staff expenses, including taxable staff expenses. The purpose of this Policy is to ensure that employees are properly reimbursed for legitimate business expenses ...

Child protection issues This fact sheet is for parents, carers, children and young people who have experienced problems with a child protection issue and may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I have a problem with a child protection matter. Can the Ombudsman help me? In many cases, yes. If a child might be at risk of significant harm, the council has a duty to make enquiries. If ...

Private housing disrepair This fact sheet is primarily aimed at people living in private rented accommodation who have reported disrepair to the council and are considering making a complaint to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. My private rented property is in disrepair. Can the Ombudsman help me? In some cases, yes. But first you will need to contact the council to give it the opp ...

High hedges This fact sheet is aimed primarily at householders who have problems related to high hedges, either on their property or on a neighbour's, and who may be considering making a complaint to the Ombudsman. I have a problem with my neighbour's hedge which separates our properties, and the council is being unreasonable about the request to do something about it. Can the Ombudsman help me? ...