04.11.16
CLG Committee endorses Michael King as Local Government Ombudsman
The Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee has endorsed the government’s preferred candidate for the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) and chair of the Commission for Local Administration of England (CLAE) in a report published today.
The designated candidate is Michael King, who has been in post as the chief executive officer and accounting officer for the LGO/CLAE since May 2015. He previously served as executive director of the LGO/CLAE from 2012-15 and before that as a deputy LGO, responsible for the LGO’s north of England and Midlands regional office.
The committee confirmed King’s suitability for the post after a competency-based interview process and a pre-appointment hearing in Parliament on Tuesday. The final decision on whether to proceed with the appointment will be made by the communities secretary Sajid Javid. The appointment is expected to begin on 11 January 2017 when the current LGO Dr Jane Martin’s term of office ends.
Clive Betts MP, chair of the CLG Committee, said: “On the basis of the evidence presented to us, we believe that Michael King is suitable for appointment to the post of Local Government Ombudsman and Chair of the Commission for Local Administration in England. We wish him well in his new post.”
The LGO looks into public complaints about local authority services and provides advice and guidance on good administrative practice and how to improve delivery of local services.
The LGO automatically serves as chair of the CLAE, which is also made up of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman as an ex officio member and three advisory members.
Prior to his roles on the LGO/CLAE, King worked for Newcastle, Gateshead and Northumberland Councils from 1989 to 2004.