Draft Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Bill

Barry Town Council have consulted with One Voice Wales on this consultation and would concur with their responses.  However, Barry Town Council would also make the following comments:-

General

Question 4 – The impact of this legislation should, in the opinion of Barry Town Council, be evaluated after 1 year.

Question 5 – Barry Town Council are happy for the Ombudsman to have more powers

Question 9 – Barry Town Council believe that as this is such an important issue a separate draft on the criteria should be prepared for comment.

Question 10 – Barry Town Council agree that the Ombudsman should have powers to investigate but it is difficult to state the criteria for this.  Also Barry Town Council believe that if a case is withdrawn the Ombudsman should have the power to continue with the investigation if they believe it is warranted.

Question 11 – Barry Town Council believe that every member of the public should be able to make a complaint to the Ombudsman.

Question 14 – Barry Town Council consider that this should be integrated in the future and therefore would agree with this new provision.

Question 18 – Yes the Ombudsman should have the power to recover costs incurred when investigating private health services, as they felt as they are in the business of charging and making money why should it fall to the public purse to pay for their mistakes.

8 January 2016