Complaint to the Ombudsman
Last October the Sydenham Society was advised that the Local Government Ombudsman had agreed to investigate the Society's formal complaint against Lewisham Council on behalf of its membership about the mismanagement of the Pedestrian Accident Reduction Scheme at Cobbs Corner.
In a letter to Pat Trembath, the Local Government Ombudsman explained that they have now decided that the 1974 Local Government Act does not permit them to conduct an investigation in respect of any action which in his opinion affects all or most of the inhabitants of the area.
"When taking a view on this, it is useful to consider whether the person making the complaint [Pat Trembath] has suffered an injustice above and beyond that suffered by the public generally…. I am not persuaded that you [Pat Trembath] have been personally affected by the roadworks more than any other user of this roundabout and therefore…the Ombudsman will not pursue your complaint further".
This is a most disappointing outcome. What it appears to mean is that although 10,000 residents and businesses locally can all be badly affected by what appears to be Council mismanagement of a contract, unless individuals sent complaints to the council whilst they were being inconvenienced, the Local Government Ombudsman cannot call the Council to account.
It may be that some local residents and businesses did send complaints to the Council whilst the roadworks were happening. If this is the case, it is still possible that this matter can be taken forward with the Local Government Ombudsman (we are aware of one business which is doing so), maybe even nominating the Sydenham Society to represent their cause. If any member was in correspondence with the Council about the handling of the Cobbs Corner contract they can download the Local Government Ombudsman complaints form or call 0845 602 1983 and please keep Pat Trembath informed.
New Year 2005
In a letter to Pat Trembath, the Local Government Ombudsman explained that they have now decided that the 1974 Local Government Act does not permit them to conduct an investigation in respect of any action which in his opinion affects all or most of the inhabitants of the area.
"When taking a view on this, it is useful to consider whether the person making the complaint [Pat Trembath] has suffered an injustice above and beyond that suffered by the public generally…. I am not persuaded that you [Pat Trembath] have been personally affected by the roadworks more than any other user of this roundabout and therefore…the Ombudsman will not pursue your complaint further".
This is a most disappointing outcome. What it appears to mean is that although 10,000 residents and businesses locally can all be badly affected by what appears to be Council mismanagement of a contract, unless individuals sent complaints to the council whilst they were being inconvenienced, the Local Government Ombudsman cannot call the Council to account.
It may be that some local residents and businesses did send complaints to the Council whilst the roadworks were happening. If this is the case, it is still possible that this matter can be taken forward with the Local Government Ombudsman (we are aware of one business which is doing so), maybe even nominating the Sydenham Society to represent their cause. If any member was in correspondence with the Council about the handling of the Cobbs Corner contract they can download the Local Government Ombudsman complaints form or call 0845 602 1983 and please keep Pat Trembath informed.
New Year 2005
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