§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what mechanisms exist for members of the public to complain about the conduct of planning officers; and what remedies exist in respect of complaints which are upheld. [152264]
§ Ms Beverley HughesComplaints about officers' conduct should, in the first instance, be directed to the local authority concerned, to be handled in accordance with its complaints procedures and disciplinary code. If, after receiving the local authority's response, the complainant wishes to pursue the matter, it could be put to the Local254W Government Ombudsman, who is the independent and impartial body charged by Parliament with investigating complaints of maladministration causing injustice.
The Ombudsman may deal with complaints by correspondence or issue a report which the local authority must consider. Remedy may involve the payment of compensation, review of the authority's policy and procedures, or both.