The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about penalty charge notices being incorrectly issued as there is insufficient remaining injustice caused to the complainant to warrant our further involvement.
The complaint
Mr X complains the Council issued him with two penalty charge notices (PCNs) after a roadside camera incorrectly identified his vehicle as committing the contraventions. The PCNs have been cancelled but Mr X seeks an apology from the Council and compensation for the inconvenience and worry he says he was put to.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
I recognise that Mr X was caused some worry and inconvenience but as the PCNs have now been cancelled, I do not consider there is sufficient remaining loss or harm caused to him to justify our further involvement. We have limited resources and must direct them to the most serious of cases. As such, my decision is we will not investigate this complaint.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is insufficient remaining injustice cause to him to warrant our further involvement.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman