Annual Report 2005/06

On 14 June 2006, Adam Peat laid before the National Assembly for Wales his last annual report on his four separate roles as the Commissioner for Local Administration in Wales; the Welsh Administration Ombudsman; the Health Service Commissioner for Wales and the Social Housing Ombudsman for Wales. These four offices were abolished on 31 March 2006, and were replaced by the new office of Public Services Ombudsman for Wales from 1 April 2006.

The year 2005/06 proved to be a particularly challenging one, for not only did the Ombudsman and his staff have to prepare for the introduction of the new office, there was also a marked increase in the number of complaints received - well over a third higher than in the previous year.

However, Adam Peat has seen nothing to suggest that this marked upturn in the number of complaints received is due to a deterioration in the performance of public bodies in Wales. It seems much more probable that the enhanced profile of the Ombudsman’s office during the past year led to a greater awareness amongst members of the public and advice agencies such as Citizens’ Advice Bureaux and Shelter Cymru that redress for serious complaints could be sought via the Ombudsman.

The Annual Report for 2005/06 is available here.