An internal ombudsman’s charter was adopted by Councillors at Council’s May 11 meeting and it will now be made publicly available on the council website.
This means that if people make a complaint to Council, the internal ombudsman will inform them of the progress of the complaint on a monthly basis at least, and if there is any delay, will provide a reason, until the matter has been either resolved or closed.
The ombudsman provides an “independent ear” for complaints and reviews administrative processes and services, “but only within three months of the issue at hand,” a report to Councillors said.
The ombudsman can investigate code of conduct complaints and public interest disclosures.
Corruption complaints can be referred to ICAC.
The ombudsman won’t get involved in the merits or otherwise of decisions from local planning panels or any development application decision.
Councillors decided in October, 2019, to increase the transparency associated with the Internal Ombudsman function by developing a Charter to clearly describe the role and function of the role and the types of complaints that are investigated.
The Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee endorsed the Charter on March 17 before it went to Councillors for their vote.
Source:
Meeting, May 11
Agenda item 3.3
Central Coast Council