A WATCHDOG organisation is seeking wider powers to investigate complaints against local authorities and to bring them to account for their actions.

Michael King, deputy local government ombudsman for the North-East, told the annual meeting of Darlington Citizens Advice that his department was often frustrated by the limitations of the present law.

The three ombudsmen in the UK receive about 20,000 formal complaints every year and a further 20,000 complaints are made to its telephone advice service.

With more local authorities observing good practice, Mr King said cases dealt with are increasingly complex ones. The vast majority are about housing, social services and highways.

"We have to be seen as completely independent and neutral and not as either advocates for the complainants or apologists for the council," said Mr King.

Ombudsmen have significant powers of investigation and could go to the High Court for a writ to demand evidence from a local authority.

However, they can only recommend a remedy and cannot enforce it.

Mr King said: "We have been very tough during the investigation, but then can only recommend a change of policy or compensation.

"In reality, 99 per cent of authorities accepted the ruling because they were conscious of their reputation and didn't want adverse publicity.

"It was not always possible to compensate for all the issues in a case, such as the distress or outrage suffered by the people affected by a local authority decision.

"We try to work together and be consistent in the recommendations we make, but it can be an incredibly difficult balancing act.

He added: "We are very keen to increase awareness of - and access to - our service. Only about half of the population know we exist."