Great Myths of The early 21st Century - The Independence of The Ombudsman. (412)

To The Business Secretary at The Department For Business, Innovation And Skills:

For Clarity - Attempt 412

412) Great Myths of The Early 21st Century - The Independence of The Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman Services' literature tells the consumer that the ombudsman is "entirely independent." We don't believe that this is entirely true.

For instance, the ombudsman has to comply with The RICS Memorandum of Understanding which states - ominously;
"RICS and OS:P will work together....to foster the effective resolution of disputes."

If the ombudsman is, "working together" with The RICS then they're not entirely independent - because they're, "working together" with The RICS. If you work together with someone how can you possibly be entirely independent? You can't. Then there's the small matter of The RICS also paying the ombudsman's salary.

How many bite the hand that feeds them?

And what if the ombudsman fundamentally disagree with The RICS as to what is and isn't, "the effective resolution of disputes?"
Let's face it there's only ever going to be one winner here and it isn't going to be the ombudsman.

We asked the Chair of Maladministration at Ombudsman Services;
Q. 92: Does the presence of the Director of Professional Regulation for RICS, being a Board Member, in any influence the ombudsman in these matters?

The Chair of Maladministration didn't reply.

Q. Mr Javid, Business Secretary, when RICS Members' and (Un)Regulated Firms' fees pay for the salary of their ombudsman, there is a Memorandum of Understanding stating what is and isn't an effective resolution of disputes and The RICS Director of Professional Regulation sits on the Board, isn't it stretching the bounds of credibility to claim that the ombudsman is, "entirely independent?"

Yours sincerely,
Steve Gilbert - The Ombudsmans61percent Campaign.

The Ombudsmans61percent Campaign is seeking:
- answers from Vince Cable,
- answers from Nick Clegg,
- answers from Jo Swinson,
- answers from Sajid Javid,
- a public inquiry into the workings of Ombudsman Services:Property (a company formerly trading as the Surveyors Ombudsman Services before undergoing rebranding) and the role of The RICS.
- compensation for the victims of the ombudsman's illogical Final Decisions.
- compensation for the victims of maladministration.
- the setting up of a truly "fair" and "independent" redress scheme free from RICS' influence.
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