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New Petitions

Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (Audit) (PE1163)

Tuesday 10 June 2008 Public Petitions Committee Petitions 5 contributions · 3 speakers

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The record

5 contributions
Frank McAveety Lab The Convener · Glasgow Shettleston
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PE1163, from Gregor Hamilton, calls on the Scottish Parliament to invite Audit Scotland to conduct, without delay, an economy, efficiency and effectiveness audit of the office of the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.Do members have any suggestions on how we should deal with the petition? As the petition seems fairly straightforward, I suggest that we seek the views of the appropriate agencies. On efficiency, we can ask the SPSO how it will address that issue and we can also contact Audit Scotland. Given the commitment of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth to find efficiency savings, we can seek the Scottish Government's view on how it will drive that forward.

Robin Harper Green Lothians
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It is important to keep it in mind that, by the time a complaint comes to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, the complainer will have gone through one or two or more complaints procedures. Clearly, it would be unreasonable to expect the ombudsman always to come to a decision that will please all those who present a complaint. I think that that is a fair observation.

Angela Constance SNP Livingston
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To be fair, the petition also talks about processes. In addition, the background paper refers to a complainant satisfaction survey. As a constituency member, I have certainly received complaints about the SPSO's processes. Although we cannot get into detailed levels of audit or complaint investigation, I think that the petition raises a valid issue that we should pursue.

Frank McAveety Lab The Convener · Glasgow Shettleston
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With those observations, I think that we now have clarity on how we wish to proceed with the petition to the next stage.

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