Cheltenham Borough Council (20 000 721)

Statement Upheld Parking and other penalties 26-Nov-2020

Summary: Miss X complains the Council failed to follow due process when making a Traffic Regulation Order. She says it failed to consider her complaint, keep her informed and give her enough notice of its implementation. She says as a result her parking charges will increase, and she lost her right to challenge the Order in court. The Ombudsman found no fault in the way the Council made the Order, but there was fault in the amount of notice it gave Miss X when it was implemented and how it handled her complaint. The Council agreed to apologise to Miss X. It will also remind its officers to follow its complaints procedure and the notification requirements for new orders.

Hartlepool Borough Council (20 002 894)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Parking and other penalties 26-Nov-2020

Summary: The complainant says the Council failed to consider his specific needs when it responded to his complaint about a van being parked behind his home. The Ombudsman will not investigate this complaint. The Council has explained why it cannot take enforcement action. And I do not consider further investigation will lead to a different outcome.

Melton Borough Council (20 008 361)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Parking and other penalties 26-Nov-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about a parking fine. This is because Miss X could have appealed against it to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal and it is reasonable to expect her to have done so.

Manchester City Council (20 006 980)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Parking and other penalties 26-Nov-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint about a parking fine and the Council towing away her car. Ms X has appealed to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal about this and the Ombudsman therefore now has no legal remit to look at this complaint.

London Borough of Croydon (20 006 647)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Parking and other penalties 26-Nov-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s refusal to accept payment for two penalty charge notices by instalments. This is because it is unlikely we would find fault by the Council.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets (20 006 734)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Parking and other penalties 26-Nov-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about a penalty charge notice issued by the Council. This is because Mr X has used his right of appeal to London Tribunals.

London Borough of Lambeth (20 006 598)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Parking and other penalties 26-Nov-2020

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s handling of his response to two moving traffic penalties which he received in 2019. The Ombudsman should not investigate this complaint. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

City of York Council (20 000 942)

Statement Upheld Parking and other penalties 25-Nov-2020

Summary: Mr X complains the Council wrongly pursued enforcement action against him regarding a Penalty Charge Notice. Mr X also complains about delays in the Council’s handling of the matter. He says the Council’s actions have caused him unnecessary distress and upset. He also says he has spent a considerable amount of time and trouble in dealing with his complaint. We find fault by the Council in this matter for which the Council has agreed a remedy.

Luton Borough Council (20 006 608)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Parking and other penalties 25-Nov-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman cannot investigate this complaint about the management of a car park. This is because the car park is managed by the Council, acting as the complainant’s landlord. The Ombudsman has no power to investigate a council when it is acting as a landlord.

London Borough of Ealing (20 007 964)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Parking and other penalties 24-Nov-2020

Summary: The Ombudsman will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a parking fine as Mr X could have appealed the fine to a parking adjudicator at London Tribunals.