We are well aware of families being fearful of the consequences of complaining – fearful of retaliatory action by authorities[4] – but for a local authority to behave in the way described by the ombudsman towards independent investigators is shocking. Complaints’ investigators are acting on behalf of Chief Executives / council members.
For a culture to develop where such an investigator considers that she is being bullied and for the ombudsman to agree that the impression given was of a council seeking to influence the outcome of an independent review – strikes at the very heart of the review process.
Ultimately senior legal officers and council members are responsible for the organisational culture of their authority – and these officers / members should take a long hard look at this report.
https://gwyneddsfailingcouncil.blogspot.com/2019/07/omg-will-it-never-end-cyngor-gwynedd_21.html
|