Section 24 - Publicising reports
112.Section 24(1) to (4) requires listed authorities that receive a copy of a report under section 23(1)(b) to make specified arrangements for publicising such reports.
113.The listed authority is required to make copies of the report available at one or more of its offices and via its website (if any) for a minimum of 3 weeks. Members of the public have a right, free of charge, to inspect, make copies of and view the report via the authority’s website (if applicable). The right to take copies would include downloading an electronic copy via the authority’s website. Members of the public also have the right to require the listed authority to supply copies of the report, for which the authority can charge a reasonable sum. It is an offence for any person wilfully to obstruct a member of the public in the exercise of these rights (section 24(7) and (8)).
114.The Ombudsman may, after taking account of the public interest and the interests of the person aggrieved (if any) and any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate, direct that the publicity requirements are not to apply in relation to a particular report (section 23(9) and (10)).
115.The Ombudsman also has the power to give directions with regard to the discharge by listed authorities of their functions under section 23 (section 23(5) and (6)).
