Unfortunately, my recent experience with the Office of the Ombudsman over a general inquiry left me feeling pretty disappointed.

I approached the Office as a member of the public in good faith with what I believed was a straightforward, informal enquiry. Before lodging a formal complaint, I wanted to confirm whether my concerns regarding the actions of a local government body were within their remit. This was done following the suggestions provided by the Office’s own website and their own online help tool.

The response I received, however, from Ms Rebecca Chivers felt unduly curt and dismissive — more in the tone of a formal rejection than an attempt to guide or assist a member of the public. It gave the impression that my contact was an inconvenience rather than an opportunity for the Office to fulfill its stated mission of accessibility and impartiality.

This first impression was at odds with the values and helpful approach presented on their public website.

I have therefore provided feedback to the Office about ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the information on their website, so that members of the public can better understand what issues are within scope before making contact.