LGO Report Exposes Administration’s Cover Up

6th January 2010

The Lib Dem leader admitted at last night's Scrutiny they drastically need to improve on their handling of complaints.

Response times are a great deal longer in Kingston than most other authorities in the UK with an average response time of 78.8 days. The actual response time should be 28 days!

The Conservative led Scrutiny Panel made it clear this situation was not acceptable and people need a speedy resolution to any complaints they have made. Cllr Nick Kilby said The resources of the organisation must meet the demands put upon it.

The Local Government Ombudsman said he had no alternative but to consider certifying that the Council's Chief Executive is in contempt of the High Court where the significant delays amount to obstruction of his investigations.

Conservative Leader Cllr Howard Jones said The Lib Dems have never brought the Ombudsman's report before the Executive, never mind full Council. This is yet another example of an incompetent administration, incapable of efficiency. This report only came to light because of the diligence of a Conservative Cllr.

Lib Dem Leader Cllr Osbourne then performed an embarrassing u-turn as he pledged to ensure that future reports and letters from the LGO will be put before the Executive.

This move was welcomed by Conservative Cllr Kilby who added It should never have taken this long, but we are happy that these important performance indicators will become shared information in future rather than simply be buried to avoid the negative publicity.