New Local Government Ombudsman Appointed

Dr Jane Martin has been appointed as a Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) by Her Majesty The Queen following the recommendation of the Communities Secretary John Denham.

Dr Martin will take up her new post on 11 January 2010 when she will also succeed Jerry White, who retired in September, as Vice Chair of the Commission for Local Administration in England.

The Minister for Local Government, Rosie Winterton MP said:

"I am delighted that Jane Martin has been appointed as a Local Government Ombudsman, and that she has been designated as Vice Chair of the Commission for Local Administration. The Local Government Ombudsman has a vital role to play in ensuring that people get swift and fair redress if things go wrong in the delivery of their local services."

The LGO was set up by the Local Government Act 1974, to conduct investigate complaints from members of the public who consider they have suffered injustice, as a result of maladministration by bodies within their jurisdiction.

The objective of the Ombudsmen is to secure, where appropriate, satisfactory redress for complainants and better administration for the authorities. Since 1989, the Ombudsmen have had power to issue advice on good administrative practice in local government based on experience derived from their investigations. In 2008-2009 the LGO decided on over 17,000 complaints. Where remedies and settlements resulted in a payment being made, the amount of compensation obtained or recommended came to over £2.2m.