The Chief Officer Legal, HR and Regulatory Services presented to the Committee the Ombudsman’s Annual Letter for 2021-2022. She explained that the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) was independent of all government bodies and had legal powers to investigate complaints about public services and independent care providers in Wales. They also investigated complaints that Members of local government bodies had breached their authority's Code of Conduct. The PSOW reported annually on the number of complaints against public bodies received by its office.

The Chief Officer Legal, HR and Regulatory Services reported the number of complaints against the Authority, how this compared to the previous year and the outcome of the complaints. 

A member raised concerns about the number of Town and Community Council complaints and in particular the fact that of the 21, none had any substance. He was concerned that the complaints process was being “weaponised” for want of a better description. He referred to a Councillor who had been the subject of a number of complaints over a few years that had amounted to nothing but had caused that Councillor great distress. He asked that that point be noted and hoped that fellow Councillors recognised the problem and that potentially, under the new duties that the Group Leaders could address this issue.

RESOLVED:   Committee noted the Annual Letter attached as Appendix 1 to the report.