The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate Mrs B’s complaint about the Council refusing to renew her residents parking permit. This is because the information does not indicate the Council was at fault.
The complaint
Mrs B complains the Council recently decided not to renew her residents parking permit which she has had since 2015. Mrs B says she relies on this permit and she cannot afford to buy a parking season ticket.
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 an investigation if we decide there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mrs B and have looked at Controlled Parking Zone information on the Council’s website.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
The Council recently identified that Mrs B’s property is not within a Controlled Parking Zone so it does not qualify for a residents parking permit. The Council says the previous permits were issued in error. The Council allowed Mrs B a further six months use of a permit but said there is no requirement to issue a further permit.
There is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation into Mrs B’s complaint. I have not seen any information to suggest Mrs B’s property is included in a Controlled Parking Zone. So, the Council was not at fault for not renewing Mrs B’s permit.
The Council’s error issuing Mrs B with a permit and later renewing this permit has meant she has benefited from the use of a permit which her property is not entitled to.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mrs B’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman