Government bodies

Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman

The Local Government Ombudsman investigates complaints of injustice and misadministration by local authorities and all adult social care providers (including care homes and home care agencies) in England. It includes such areas as housing, education, consumer services, social services and council tax. Its website describes the role of the ombudsman and provides information for the public on how to file a complaint. Annual reports from 1995/96 onwards are available along with a digest of cases considered.

Independent Complaints Reviewer

The Independent Complaints Reviewer provides a complaints review service for the following public bodies: the Land Registry; the Audit Commission; the Charity Commission; the Homes and Communities Agency; the National Archives; the Northern Ireland Youth Justice Agency and the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. The site has guidance to making a complaint, background information on each organisation and copies of their annual reports. The Independent Complaints Reviewer will only investigate complaints once they have been exhausted by the organisation’s internal complaints procedures.

Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal

Website of the Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal (SSDT), an independent body dealing with serious disciplinary issues within the legal profession, such as professional misconduct and inadequate professional service. The website provides the findings of the Tribunal back to 1995; searchable by name or date, or browseable by case type. Information about the work of the Tribunal works and how to make an appeal is given in the form of a selection of FAQs. There are also Tribunal rules, annual reports and profiles of members.

Standards Commission for Scotland

Website of the Standards Commission for Scotland an independent body set up by the Ethical Standards in Public etc. (Scotland) Act 2000. Complaints against councillors and members of devolved public bodies are investigated by the Chief Investigating Officer (CIO). If the CIO finds there has been a breach of one of the codes of conduct for councillors or members of devolved public bodies they will report this to the Standards Commission who may then hold a hearing. The site has links to the Ethical Standards Act and to the codes of conduct..

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is a non-departmental body responsible for the protection of the environment in Scotland. SEPA is responsible for monitoring the quality of Scotland's air, land and water and acts as the country’s environmental regulator. The site has sections providing information and publications dealing with air quality, climate change, flooding, land, planning, water quality, radioactive substances and waste.

Scottish Government

Official website of the Scottish Government providing information on the function, history and current activities of the devolved government for Scotland. Details are offered of current activities and other resources in all areas of political policy, including health, education, justice, rural affairs and transport. Recent press releases and the full-text of Scottish government and Scottish Executive documents published from 1983 onwards are accessible. Links are also given to Scottish Bills and legislation on the Scottish Parliament and the legislation.gov.uk websites.

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work was established by the EuropeanUnion in Bilbao in 1996. Its website provides information about EU legislation on health and safety at work, with links to the full text of directives and related documents. Other information available on the site inclues case studies, statistics and good practice guidance. The site is available in various European languages.

European Parliament

The European Parliament’s website offers a large amount of information the institution, its political groups and members. The home page has links livestreamed parliamentary proceedings and news. It also links to the Legislative Observatory and Legislative Train, both of which track the progress of legislation, and to the EP's Think Tank, which provides policy analysis. The Plenary section covers parliamentary proceedings and there is a Committees section focusing on the activities of parliamentary committees. The site can be viewed in any of the official languages of the EU.

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