The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council’s estate parking permits scheme encouraging residents to use polluting vehicles due to the charging system. We have no jurisdiction to investigate complaints about estate and tenancy management by social housing landlords.
The complaint
Mr X complained about the Council’s operation of its estate parking permits on council housing estates. He says that by charging a flat rate for residents, the scheme encourages tenants to buy large polluting vehicles which adds to pollution in the area. He wants the Council to adopt a charging scheme reflecting the pollution generated by the vehicles on the estates.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We cannot investigate complaints about the provision or management of social housing by a council acting as a registered social housing provider. (Local Government Act 1974, paragraph 5A schedule 5, as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered the information provided by the complainant and the Council’s response.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
Mr X says the Council permit system for parking on council estates encourages tenants to use polluting vehicles because the current charge is a flat rate of £32 a year, regardless of the vehicle size and pollution output. He says the Council should introduce a higher charging rate of £325-£470 a year which is paid by residents with permits who do not live on council estates. He says this would encourage tenants to buy less polluting vehicles and so that other residents in the borough do not subsidise council social housing tenants.
The Council says the scheme is due to be reviewed by Housing Services and pollution will be taken into account.
We have no jurisdiction to investigate complaints about how council social housing landlords manage their estates and tenancies. This falls within the remit of the Housing Ombudsman Service.
Final decision
We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s estate parking permits scheme encouraging residents to use polluting vehicles due to the charging system. We have no jurisdiction to investigate complaints about estate and tenancy management by social housing landlords.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman