The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about a parking penalty charge notice as it has been considered by a tribunal and is therefore no longer within our remit.
The complaint
Mr X complains the Council failed to properly investigate his complaint about an unfairly issued parking penalty charge notice (PCN). Mr X lost his appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT) about the PCN. Mr X says this has caused him distress and financial hardship.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
We cannot investigate a complaint if someone has appealed to a tribunal about the matter. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(6), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
As per paragraph three, as this matter has been considered by a tribunal, the TPT, it is no longer within our remit to investigate.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is no longer within our remit since it has been considered by the TPT.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman