The 40th Year of Local Government Ombudsman in England

Year 2015, Volume: 15 Issue: 1, 65 - 80, 01.02.2015

Sultan Kavili Arap

Abstract

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 mostlydiscussed 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

Keywords

Ombudsman, local government ombudsman, independence, audit, maladministration

40. Yılında İngiltere’de Yerel Yönetim Ombudsmanı

Abstract

Ombudsmanlık sistemi uygulandığı ülkelerde yapısal ve işleyişsel olarak birbirinden farklı özellikler göstermektedir. Ombudsmanların, ulusal, bölgesel ya da il düzeyinde coğrafi düzlemde örgütlenenleri olduğu gibi herhangi bir coğrafi bölge gözetmeksizin sadece belirli ihtisas alanlarında örgütlenenleri de bulunmaktadır. Kökeni onsekizinci yüzyılın başlarına dayanan ombudsmanlık, İngiltere’de Parlamento Ombudsmanı olarak 1967 yılından itibaren uygulanmaktadır. Ülkede diğer ombudsmanların çalışma alanları çoğunlukla ihtisas alanlarına göre biçimlenmiş olup, bu araştırmanın konusu olan Yerel Yönetim Ombudsmanı, yerel yönetimlerin görev alanına giren konuları inceleme yetkisine sahiptir. 1974 yılında kurulan Yerel Yönetim Ombudsmanlığı, kurulduğu yıldan günümüze tanınma düzeyi, görev ve yetki alanları, uygulamaları ve yaptırımları ile tartışılmış ve zaman zaman sert eleştirilere uğramıştır. Bu eleştirilere, yapılan memnuniyet araştırmalarının sonuçlarına ve kurumdan hizmet almak için başvuranların geri bildirimlerine bağlı olarak kimi işleyiş değişiklikleri yapılmıştır. Günümüzde İngiltere Yerel Yönetim Ombudsmanı çeşitli boyutlarıyla yeniden tartışma konusudur. 2012 yılında hazırlanan dönüşüm planı çerçevesinde bir dizi değişiklik yapılmasına ilişkin süreç devam etmektedir. İngiltere’deki ombudsmanlık sistemi içerisinde önemli bir yeri olan Yerel Yönetim Ombudsmanı, kırk yıllık deneyimi, geçirdiği dönüşüm ve bu dönüşüme ilişkin gerekçeleriyle ve başvurucuların şikayetlerini ele alış biçimiyle, Türkiye için örnek olabilecek negatif ve pozitif dersler içermektedir

Keywords

Ombudsman, yerel yönetim ombudsmanı, bağımsızlık, denetim, kötü yönetim

References

• Abraham, A. (2008) “The Future in International Perspective: The Ombudsman as Agent of Rights, Justice and Democracy” Parliamentary Affairs, 61(4):681-693.
• Ayto, J. (2005) Word Origins : The Hidden Histo- ries of English Words from A to Z., Huntingdon, GBR: A & C Black, http://site.ebrary.com/lib/deulibrary/ Doc?id=10240735&ppg=368, (08.09.2013).
• Bozkurt, Ö., Ergun, T. ve Sezen, S. (1998) Kamu Yö- netimi Sözlüğü Ankara,TODAİE.
• Buck, T., Kirkham, R. ve Thompson, B. (2011) The Ombudsman Enterprise and Administrative Justice, Surrey, Ashgate Publishing Limited.
• CLGC (Communities And Local Government Com- mittee), (2012) “The Work of The Local Government Ombudsman”, London: House of Commons, http:// www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ cm201213/cmse- lect/cmcomloc/431/43102.htm, (25.01.2014).
• CLGC (2014) “Further Review of The Work of The Local Government Ombudsman”, http://www.publica- tions.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmcom- loc/866/86602.htm, (20.01.2014).
• DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Go- vernment), (2013) “Local Government Financial Statistics England No:23”http:// www.gov.uk/government/uploads/ system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/ 203942/29699_ DCLG_WEB_version.pdf, (10.01.2014)
• Dow, J. (2009) “Integrated Complaints Procedures for Health and Social Care” Journal of Integrated Care, 17(1):45-48.
• Drake, C.D. ( 1970) “Ombudsmen for Local Go- vernment” Public Administration, 48(2):179-189.
• Eroğlu, C. (2008) Çağdaş Devlet Düzenleri, 6. Baskı, Ankara, İmaj Yayınevi.
• Field, C. (2009) “The Presentation to The Austra- lian Institute of Administrative Law National Forum 2009” http://www.ombudsman.wa.gov.au/Publications/ Documents/speeches/060809_AIAL_Forum_ 2009.pdf, (02.08.2014)
• Fritchie, R. ve Rowland, D. (2011) Strategic Business Review, London, Commission for Local Administration in England.
• Giddings, P. (2001) “Whither The Ombudsman?” Public Policy and Administration, 16(1): -20.
• Gordon, R. (2013) “Governance Review of the Lo- cal Government Ombudsman Service” London, Depart- ment For Communities and Local Government.
• IOI (International Ombudsman Institute), (2010) “Italy Approves New Law to Abolish Local Ombudsman Institutions” http://www.theioi.org/news/italy-approves- new-law-to-abolish-local-ombudsman- institutions, (30.01.2014)
• House of Commons (1996) “Hansard About Local Government Ombudsman; Written Answers”http://www. publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199596/cmhansrd/ vo960212/text/60212w02.htm, (08.10.2013).
• Karasu, K. (2009) “İngiltere’de Kamu Yönetimi” Gü- ler et al. (eds) Kamu Yönetimi Ülke İncelemeleri, Ankara, İmge Kitabevi.
• Kirkham, R. (2005) “A Complainant’s View of the Local Government Ombudsman” Journal Of Social Wel- fare and Family Law, 27:3-4 :383-394.
• Kirkham, R. (2007) “The Parliamentary Ombuds- man: Withstanding The Test of Time” http://www. ombudsman.org.uk/_data/assets/pdf_file/0004/3874/ withstanding-the-test-of-time.pdf, (18.11.2013).
• Kofler, B. (2008) “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland” Kuesko-Stadlmayer, G.(ed.) Eu- ropean Ombudsman Institutions, Wien, Springer Wien Newyork.
• Köseoğlu, Ö. (2010) “Avrupa Ombudsmanının Hu- kuki Statüsü, İşleyişi ve Kurumsal Etkinliği” Sayıştay Der- gisi, 79: 31-62.
• Kucsko-Stadlmayer, G. (2008) European Ombudsman Institutions, Wien, Springer Wien Newyork.
• LGO (Local Government Ombudsman) (2012) “Gu- idance On Running A Complaint System” http://www. lgo.org.uk, (05.10.2012).
• LGO (2003) Annual Report 2001/02, http://www.lgo. org.uk, (10.04.2012).
• LGO (2003) Annual Report 2002/03, http://www. ombudsmanwatchers.org.uk/clae_docs/annual%20 re- ports/lgo_annual_report_02-03.pdf, (05.10.2012).
• LGO (2004) Annual Report 2003/04, http://www. ombudsmanwatchers.org.uk/clae_docs/ annual%20re- ports/lgo_annual_report_03-04.pdf (05.10.2012).
• LGO (2005) Annual Report 2004/05, http://www. ombudsmanwatchers.org.uk/clae_docs /annual%20re- ports/lgo_annual_report_04-05.pdf, (05.10.2012).
• LGO (2006) Annual Report 2005/06, http://www. ombudsmanwatchers.org.uk/clae_docs /annual%20re- ports/lgo_annual_report_05-06.pdf, (05.10.2012).
• LGO (2008) Annual Report 2007/08, http://www. theioi.org/europe/united-kingdom/local-government- ombudsman-for-england, (05.10.2012).
• LGO (2009) Annual Report 2008/09, http://www. lgo.org.uk/publications/annual-report2008-09-analysis- complaints, (05.10.2012).
• LGO (2010) Annual Report 2009-10, http://www.lgo. org.uk/publications/annual -report-2009-10-analysis- complaints, (05.10.2012).
• LGO (2011) Annual Report 2010-11, http://www. lgo.org.uk/publications/annual-report-2010-11-analysis- complaints, (05.10.2012).
• LGO (2012a),“About Us: Key Facts About The Ombudsman”, http://www.lgo.org.uk/about-us/, (20.02.2013).
• LGO (2012b) “Legal Framework”, http://www.lgo. org.uk/about-us/legal-framework/, (15.07.2013).
• LGO (2012c) “LGO can no longer investigate complaints about the internal management of schools”, http://www.lgo.org.uk/news/2012/jul/lgo-no-longer- investigate-complaints-about-internal-management- schools/, (12.09.2012).
• LGO (2012d) Annual Report 2011-12, http://www. lgo.org.uk/publications/annual-report-2011-12-analysis- complaints, (20.10.2013).
• LGO (2013a) “Mission, Objectives and Valu- es”, http://www.lgo.org.uk/about-us/mission-and- objectives/, (20.07.2013).
• LGO (2013b) “What We Do” http://www.lgo.org. uk/about-us/what-we-do/, (12.07.2013).
• LGO (2013c) “Complaints About Social Hou- sing” http:// www.lgo.org.uk/making-a complaint/ what-we-can-look-at/complaints-about-social-housing/, (25.01.2014).
• LGO (2013d) “Making a Complaint” http:// www. lgo.org.uk/making-a-complaint/, (05.10.2013).
• LGO (2013e) Annual Report & Accounts 2012-2013, London, Local Government Ombudsman.
• LGO (2014) “Who We Are” http://www.lgo.org.uk/ about-us/who-we-are/, (27.01.2014).
• LGO Watchers (2013) “Background” http://lgowatc- her.blogspot.com.tr/p/about-me.html, (10.12.2013).
• Local Government Act 1974 (1974) http://www.le- gislation.gov.uk.
• Local Government Structure (2012) http://www. politics.co.uk/reference/local-government-structure, (20.12.2013).
• Magnetto, P. (2003) “Between Parliamentary Control And The Rule of LAw: The Political Role of The Om- budsman in The European Union” Journal of European Public Policy, 10(5): 677-694.
• Martin, J. (2013) “LGO Response Dated 01 October 2013” ments/ commons-committees/communities-and- local-government/131001_LGO_letter_annexes.pdf, (10.12.2013).
• MORI (Market and Opinion Research International) (1999) Complainants Survey 1999, http://www.lgo.org. uk/about-us/surveys/customer-satisfaction-survey-1999, (05.11.2013).
• MORI (2007) Customer Satisfaction Survey For The Local Government Ombudsman, http://www.lgo.org.uk/ about-us/surveys/customer-satisfaction-survey-2007, (05.11.2013).
• ODPM (ODPM: Housing, Planning, Local Govern- ment and The Regions Committee), (2005), “The Role and The Effectivenes of The Local Government Ombudsman for England Eleventh Report of Sesion 2004-2005” Lon- don, House of Commons.
• Olowu, D. (2007) “Good Governance and Develop- ment Challenges in The South PAsific: The Promise of Ombudsmanship” Reif, L.C. ( ed.) The International Ombudsman Year Book.
• Ombudsman Association (2013a) “Association His- tory” http://www.ombudsmanassociation.org/ associati- on-history.php, (15.11.2013).
• Ombudsman Association (2013b) “Schedule 1 To The Rules Criteria For The Recognition of Ombudsman Office”, http://www.ombudsmanassociation.org/docs/ OA-Rules-Schedule-1.pdf (15.11.2013).
• Ombudsman Watchers (2009a) “LGO Statistics”, http://www.ombudsmanwatchers.org.uk/lgo _statistics/ lgo_statistics_74_99.html, (12.11. 2013).
• Ombudsman Watchers (2009b) “Petition” http:// www.ombudsmanwatchers.org.uk/ow-petitions.html, (12.11.2013).
• Ombudsman Watchers (2012) “Introduction” http://ombudsmanwatchers.org.uk/ow_help.html, (18.11.2013).
• PSHO (Parliamentary and Health Service Ombuds- man), (2013) “Timeline” http://www.ombudsman.org. uk/about-us/who-we-are/history-and-legislation/timeli- ne, (18.11.2013).
• PHSO (2012) “About Us”, http://www.ombudsman. org.uk/about-us/, (10.12.2013).
• Regulatory Reform Order 2007 No 1889 (2007) http:// www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/1889/con- tents/ made, (15.10.2012).
• Senevinatre, M. (1999) “The Local Government Ombudsman” Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 21(2):165-173.
• Seneviratne, M. (2001) “Homelessness and The Local Government Ombudsman” Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 23(3):341-351.
• Seneviratne, M. (2002) Ombudsmen Public Services and Administrative Justice, Scotland, Butterworths Lexis Nexis.
• Şengül, R. (2005) “Ombudsman Kurumu Kötü Yö- netime Çare Olabilir mi?” http:// www.etiktürkiye.com / etik/kyönetim/Sengul.pdf, (15.08.2012).
• Temizel, Z. (1997), Yurttaşın Yönetime Karşı Korun- masında Bağımsız Bir Denetim Organı; Ombudsman, İs- tanbul: IULA-EMME.
• Thomas, R., Martin, J. ve Kirkham, R. (2013) Exter- nal Evaluation of The Local Government Ombudsman in England, http://www.lgo.org.uk/downloads/About%20 us/Governance/1777-CLA-2008-Evaluation-of-the- LGO-The-Final-Report-2-2-.pdf, (18.09.2013)
• Tortop, N. (1998) “Ombudsman Sistemi ve Çeşitli Ülkelerde Uygulanması” Amme İdaresi Dergisi 31(1):3- 12.
• Understand How Your Council Works (2013) www.gov. uk/understand-how-your-council-works, (10.01.2014).
• Wilson, D. ve Game, C. (2006) Local Government in The United Kingdom, London, Palgrave Macmillan.
• Yates, J. (1980) “The Function of The Ombudsman in Local Government” Auckland Rev, 4:295-312.