Ombudsman Services - The Vanishing Statistical Evidence, Transparency and Accountability. (593)

To the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary

and

To the Chair of Ombudsman Services, Lord Tim Clement Jones

For Clarity - Attempt 593.

Well done Jeremy Corbyn.

   Congratulations Luke Pollard the new MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport.

593) Ombudsman Services - The Vanishing Statistical Evidence, Transparency and Accountability.

Dear Mr Clark and Lord Tim Clement Jones,

The previous Chair of Ombudsman Services, Prof Dame Janet Finch, had an apparent deep phobia for statistical data and information - especially when it came to OS:Property - as was evidenced by the evisceration of such information under her maladministration. (You will be aware of the First and Last Independent Assessment by the company's previous Independent Assessor who had never seen such instances of maladministration in an ombudsman service up until then.)

In 2009-10 the Annual Property Report ran to 8 pages. The 2016 Property Report is now 2 pages, one of which is waffle.

The Head of ERCE oft wrote to us on the 8th February 2013 stating,

"I have investigated this matter (the replacement of DJS Research by a new research company) and understand that OSP has confirmed that the new company will ask the same questions as those used in previous surveys, with the addition of some new questions about the OSP website.

Should we have any concerns about the surveys conducted by the new company, however, we will raise these directly with OSP."

Really? Just look for yourselves. But of course you will already know this.

Q. Lord Tim Clement Jones, why is there in effect only one page of scant statistical evidence relating to consumers' Property complaints?

Q. Lord Tim Clement Jones, why are complainants no longer asked if they thought the Property Ombudsman, "arrived at decisions in a logical manner" when it came to "investigating" their complaint?

Q. Lord Tim Clement Jones, why are property complainants no longer asked if they were: very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with Final Decision handed to them by the Property Ombudsman?

It is patently obvious that the same questions are not being asked or reported upon. Just look for yourselves. But you will already know this.

Q. Mr Clark, why have government civil servants shown no concern over the total failure of the new research company to ask the same questions as DJS Research?

Q. Mr Clark, why replace a company with a proven track record in research with one that will simply replicate what has already been done remarkably well, if not to hide the disturbing truth that the Property Ombudsman is neither fair nor independent?

Q. Mr Clark, why is the Conservative government allowing consumers to take costly property disputes to a private redress scheme that is so lacking in transparency and accountability?

The job description for The New Chair of Ombudsman Services insisted that the new incumbent have - "unimpeachable integrity."

Lord Tim Clement Jones you have said,

"This is an inclusive vision that everyone can identify with and benefit from."

You then immediately contradict this by attacking certain consumers. You state,

"For some consumers our best efforts will never be enough - their expectations of our service and the powers we have to resolve an issue are too great." 

Your Member Firms (rebranded Participating Companies) - especially RICS surveyors - get no such public dressing down.

Q. Lord Tim Clement Jones, by your own words you are clearly Good For Business but Bad For Certain Consumers, is this not blatant bias on your part and have you not impeached yourself?

Yours sincerely,

Steve Gilbert.

The Ombudsmans61percent Campaign is at: www.blogger.com and Facebook.