Firstly, do not confuse this with the Housing Association Ombudsman Service, which is different.
The service which has been reviewed is that provided to Council Tenants and ALMOs, up to April 2013 when the Housing complaints will be managed by the Housing Ombudsman, alongside the existing HA tenant complaints.
MPs have urged the Local Government Ombudsman to improve its performance in providing redress for public complaints about local services. In a report issued today the communities and local government Committee raises concerns the LGO is taking far too long to determine some cases, and demands it sets strict deadlines to all cases it handles.
Questioning the Ombudsman’s efficacy, the Committee also recommends the LGO implements changes identified in a recent strategic business review, making clear how it proposes appointing a new chief operating officer and ensuring its activities are scrutinised by an external reviewer.