Other Complaints Procedures
DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES AND WHO DEALS WITH THEM
The three stages of the complaint scheme cover the majority of complaints raised by the public about the services and performance of the Broads Authority and it is anticipated that this will be the procedure for the complaint which you submit. However, a different approach will be taken in certain circumstances. If your complaint falls into one of the categories below please contact the Director of Corporate Services at the Broads Authority who will advise you how best to deal with it, or you can contact the relevant person or organisation direct.
a) Maladministration For complaints about all administrative matters, you can contact the Local Government Ombudsman who will look at the way a Broads Authority decision has been made. If you feel, for example, that a planning procedure has not been correctly followed, the Ombudsman may take up your complaint. However, the Ombudsman usually prefers that an attempt has first been made to resolve the complaint by using the Authority’s own complaints scheme.
b) Member Code of Conduct If you have a complaint about the conduct of a member of the Broads Authority or one of its committees you may complain formally by writing to the Standards Committee, Broads Authority, Dragonfly House, 2 Gilders Way, Norwich NR3 1UB. Alternatively, you may raise the matter informally with the Authority's Director of Corporate Services who will advise you on the matter. The ‘Members’ Code of Conduct Standards Committee Complaints Guidance Notes’ provides more guidance on this matter. A copy can be provided if required.
c) Financial Wrongdoings The Treasurer and Financial Adviser, Chief Executive, and/or the Monitoring Officer will investigate a matter if your complaint is about financial wrongdoings by the Broads Authority.
d) Unlawful Behaviour or Action
The Authority’s Monitoring Officer will be the lead person investigating a complaint if there is a concern about any unlawful behaviour or action by the Broads Authority itself. In addition:
(i) If a complaint suggests criminal behaviour, the matter will be reported immediately to the Police.
(ii) Applicants for planning permission have a legal right to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, in the case of planning decisions with which they disagree. Details of how to appeal are included in the letter of refusal which is sent to you as the applicant. The Broads Authority Complaints Scheme cannot be used for these appeals.
