Internal Ombudsman

The Internal Ombudsman can investigate or refer for investigation matters including:

• all Council administrative processes
• any failure to comply with Council’s Code of Conduct, polices or procedures
• Council’s lack of attention to matters, or review of Council’s complaint handling procedures
• allegations of poor administration, maladministration, corruption, or other alleged improper conduct by Council or Council Officials
• anonymous complaints if sufficient details are provided
• matters referred by the Internal Ombudsman Shared Service Management Committee

What can’t the Internal Ombudsman Shared Service investigate?

The Internal Ombudsman is unable to investigate matters:

• that have not firstly been reviewed or investigated in accordance with the member Council’s relevant complaints handling policy
• that are not part of Council’s functions or businesses
• that require initial referral to external agencies including but not limited to: the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (the ICAC), the NSW Office of Local Government, the NSW Ombudsman, or the NSW Police
• where adequate details of the complaint are not available to allow proper investigation
• that are frivolous, vexatious or not made in good faith or are trivial in nature

What does an investigation involve?

Each case will be reviewed on its merit, seriousness and priority.

1. An acknowledgement letter will be sent to the complainant within three business days.
2. Records or information provided in relation to the issues raised will be reviewed.
3. Interviews with the relevant person(s) will be conducted.
4. A confidential report to the relevant General Manager or Chief Executive Officer will be prepared. This will include a review of the evidence available to the investigation, determinations on the complaint and any appropriate recommendations on the matters investigated.
5. A letter will be sent to the complainant detailing the results of the investigation, and any actions, if appropriate, giving consideration to relevant privacy legislative requirements.
6. Each investigation will be carried out in a timely manner.

The Internal Ombudsman may refer matters to other bodies, internal or external to Council for investigation, due to the nature, or urgency of the matter.

The timeframe for the investigation will be determined by the allocation, the priority of the matter, and other work constraints of the Internal Ombudsman Shared Service. All matters will be dealt with in a timely manner.

What outcomes can I expect from an investigation?

If a report from the Internal Ombudsman Shared Service finds that there has been an act or omission by a Council Official contrary to a policy or procedure and/or good administrative conduct, the Internal Ombudsman can recommend that specific appropriate action be taken.

It is the General Manager or Chief Executive Officer’s responsibility to address recommendations made by the Internal Ombudsman and ensure their implementation within the Council.

Each member Council is required to record each recommendation made by the Internal Ombudsman, take appropriate action, and record what action has been taken by Council. The Internal Ombudsman has the right to request at any time information regarding Council’s action on previous report recommendations.

All parties to a matter investigated by the Internal Ombudsman are required to maintain confidentiality.

Internal Ombudsman Shared Service enquiries are undertaken in private and in a secure location.

Personal and private information are managed in accordance with the relevant member Council’s Code of Conduct and the NSW Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998.

The Internal Ombudsman Shared Service manages and maintains strict separation and confidentiality of each individual member Council’s records.

Council staff and Councillors are also bound by the confidentiality and privacy provisions of Council’s Code of Conduct. 
 

Generally, the Internal Ombudsman Shared Service will not investigate matters that have not firstly been reviewed or investigated by Inner West Council, in accordance with Council’s Complaints Handling Policy. 

If you have not previously submitted a complaint to Council, we recommend that you submit your complaint for investigation by Council in the first instance by visiting this page.

Please allow up to six weeks for a response from Council in regards to your concern/complaint.

However, the IOSS may consider matters, prior to Council’s initial review, that we assess to be significantly serious or systemic.

Before making your complaint, you can contact the Internal Ombudsman Shared Service on 02 8757 9044 for advice or assistance, or visit Council’s website for information about the Internal Ombudsman Shared Service.
 

Before making a complaint you should take all reasonable steps to try and resolve the matter with your local Council through the Council’s complaint handling policy. If the matter is about an administrative issue, you should request the Council review its processes before contacting the Internal Ombudsman.

Allow up to six weeks for a response from Council in regards to your concern/complaint. If after this period the matter has not been reasonably, or justly resolved by Council, then you may forward your complaint in writing to the Internal Ombudsman.

Your complaint to the Internal Ombudsman Shared Service must include full details of the matter/issue and any relevant documents.

You can submit a complaint online or complaints can be emailed to internalombudsman@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

Internal Ombudsman staff are available in person or by telephone to assist with this process or to refer a matter appropriately. Telephone: (02) 8757 9044.

Internal Ombudsman staff can also be contacted via post:

The Internal Ombudsman Shared Service
11 Northumberland Road
Auburn NSW 2144

 

The Internal Ombudsman Shared Service Governance Charter outlines in greater detail the scope of the Internal Ombudsman service, including who can make complaints, what types of complaints will be investigated and how these will be resolved.

The following annual reports provide a comprehensive account of the Internal Ombudsman Shared Service’s performance from inception on 25 September 2017.

The annual reports issued by the Internal Ombudsman Shared Service provide a thorough overview of the work undertaken by the service as well as outlining plans for the year ahead.
 

Ms Elizabeth Renneberg
Internal Ombudsman

Ms Sarah Labone
Deputy Internal Ombudsman

Mr Finbarr Cahalane
Complaint Assessment & Administration Officer

Call us on: (02) 8757 9044

Send us an Email: internalombudsman@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

Visit us in Person:

Internal Ombudsman Shared Service
11 Northumberland Road
Auburn NSW 2144

(Call in advance to book an appointment)