Michael King has recently been appointed as the new Local Government Ombudsman, taking over from the retiring David Henkin. He brings a wide range of consumer and public protection experience to the role. His appointment has been endorsed by the Local Government select committee.

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Local Government Ombudsman

The Local Government Ombudsman is an independent service that investigates complaints about councils and adult social care providers. It is a free and impartial service and is not affiliated to the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The office of the Local Government Ombudsman is overseen by the Commission for Local Administration. It is funded by public grant and works independently of central government. The chair of the Local Government Ombudsman and the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman are ex officio members of the Commission.

The ombudsman can recommend remedies to put things right. This could include compensation or action to avoid similar problems in the future. In practice, Local Authorities almost always act on the ombudsman’s recommendations. However, if you believe the ombudsman has made an error in law then you can challenge their decision in the High Court by seeking judicial review. Watkins Solicitors can advise you on all aspects of this process including drafting complaints and evidence gathering.

Local Government Commission

The Local Government Commission is responsible for fulfilling its obligations found in Chapter 159 of the NC General Statutes. It provides resources, guidance, and oversight to the over 1,100 units of local government. These include counties, cities, towns, and villages. The commission also oversees the issuance of debt by local governments and helps with financial management.

The Commission also encourages the use of best practices in ethics and integrity in local government by promoting the publication of model codes and presenting to councils on good practice. Its Local Government Integrity Frameworks Review is an example of this work, and is a valuable resource for councils.

The Commission offers study sessions for local elected officials and staff, presentations and conference planning services on a wide range of issues including sustainable development, urban design, and public finance. These workshops are an excellent opportunity for local leaders to discuss and share innovative ideas. The Commission has also developed a number of guides, fact sheets, and tookits on various topics.

Local Government Association

In many countries LGAs are formally recognised in law as legitimate representative bodies of local authorities, and they are obligated by law to consult on all major government decisions affecting the sector. They also play a vital role in the representation and advancement of local interests.

They are generally politically-led and cross-party organisations, with their members mainly local councils. They serve as the national voice of local government, advocating on behalf of councils to influence national policy and secure funding on their behalf.

They also often have an important coordinating function within the wider community of municipal stakeholders and are able to fill in information gaps when they exist due to national communications failures. They also coordinate with a range of other international and inter-regional associations, such as the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. Other specialised associations exist, such as those for smart cities or energy efficient municipalities. However, participation in these associations is a matter of autonomous choice and wishes of each individual municipality.

Local Government Sector

Local governments are responsible for a wide range of public services, including social care, schools, planning and waste management. They also provide a variety of community facilities and services, such as parks and libraries. Councillors are elected by the community to make decisions and represent the interests of their area. They work with residents and local businesses to agree on their priorities and implement them. For more details please visit lgoking

Transparency and accountability are key to ethical local government. By openly communicating with citizens, local governments can build trust and encourage engagement. They can also reduce the risk of corruption and unethical practices by implementing measures to prevent them.

In the United States, local government is divided into a two-tier system with counties and municipalities (also known as cities or towns). Municipalities are usually subordinate to county governments, but some states have charter cities or counties that operate under home rule. They may also be governed by their own constitutions, which allow them to exercise authority not explicitly granted by the state.