The 40th Year of Local Government Ombudsman in England

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Ombudsman system shows different structural and behavioral characteristics in various countries. Ombudsmen may be organized either on a geographical basis such as national, regional, provincial level or in certain specific areas regardless of geographical regions. Ombudsman, originated in the early 18th century, has been administered as Parliament Commissioner in England since 1967. Duties and responsibilities of ombudsman in the country are mainly determined according to their fields of specilization. The focus of this study, Local Government Ombudsman, can investigate subjects falling within its scope. Local Government Ombudsman was established in 1974. Its level of recognition, duties and authorization, practices and sanctions have been discussed from the year of foundation to the present and criticized rigidly from time to time. Some operational changes have been made depending on criticisms, results of satisfaction surveys and feedback obtained from the complainant who applied to receive services from local government. Today, Local Government Ombudsman in England is again mostly-discussed issue in terms of various dimensions. The process regarding a series of amendments within the framework of Transformation Plan which was developed in 2012 has been in progress. Having a crucial position within the Ombudsman system in England, Local Government Ombudsman may set an example for Turkey. It may yield positive and negative lessons with its forty years of experience, transformation, the reasons behind its transformation and the way complaints of complainants has been handled.

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Ombudsman , local government ombudsman , independence , audit , maladministration

Ege Academic Review (EAR)

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Ege Academic Review (EAR)