PART 3INVESTIGATIONS
Reports of investigations
I124Publicising reports
1
If a listed authority receives a copy of a report under section 23(1)(b), the authority must make copies of that version of the report available for a period of at least three weeks—
a
at one or more of the authority's offices, and
b
if the authority has a website, on the website.
2
Throughout that period of three weeks, any person may—
a
inspect the copy of the report at the office or offices concerned at any reasonable time without payment;
b
make a copy of the report or any part of it at any reasonable time without payment;
c
require the listed authority to supply the person with a copy of the report or any part of it, on payment of a reasonable sum if requested;
d
view the copy of the report on the website (if any) without payment.
3
Not later than two weeks after the copy of the report is received, the listed authority must ensure that a notice is published in a newspaper circulating in the part of Wales in which the matter which is the subject of the report arose.
4
The notice must specify—
a
the date on which the period of three weeks referred to in subsection (1) will begin,
b
the office or offices at which a copy of the report can be inspected, and
c
the address of the authority's website (if any).
5
The Ombudsman may give directions to listed authorities with regard to the discharge of their functions under this section.
6
Directions under subsection (5) may relate—
a
to a particular listed authority in respect of a particular report, or
b
generally to the discharge of functions under this section by all or any listed authorities.
7
A person commits an offence if—
a
the person wilfully obstructs a person in the exercise of a right conferred by subsection (2)(a), (b) or (d), or
b
the person refuses to comply with a requirement under subsection (2)(c).
8
A person guilty of an offence under subsection (7) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
9
The Ombudsman may direct that subsections (1) to (4) are not to apply in relation to a particular report.
10
In deciding whether to give a direction under subsection (9), the Ombudsman must take into account—
a
the public interest,
b
the interests of the person aggrieved (if any), and
c
the interests of any other persons the Ombudsman thinks appropriate.