Joint statement by the Parliamentary and Local Government Ombudsmen
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We are today both publishing reports which set out the results of our investigations into a complaint made by Mr and Mrs Maurice Balchin against the Department for Transport and Norfolk County Council in relation to the Council’s refusal to purchase the Balchins’ former home in advance of an intended road bypass scheme.
Our investigations have effectively considered the same set of events from our respective perspectives – namely the administrative actions of central and local government - and we have worked in close collaboration throughout. Nevertheless, the legislation covering our respective remits currently requires that we publish separate reports of our findings, which is what we now do here. Although both reports are complete in themselves, it is only when they are read together that the events in question can be seen and understood in their entirety. We have therefore decided to publish them together, and in each case, to attach each other’s report as an annex to our own. This is, we believe, the only way in which can present the full picture in this exceptional case.
The Cabinet Office are currently consulting on proposals to reform certain aspects of public sector Ombudsman services by means of a Regulatory Reform Order which, if implemented as proposed, would enable us in future to work together even more effectively and produce a joint report where appropriate. Mr and Mrs Balchin’s case clearly demonstrates the advantages that such reform would deliver.
Ann Abraham
UK Parliamentary Ombudsman
October 2005
Jerry White
Local Government Ombudsman for England
