Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about communication delays. There is insufficient injustice caused by the delay to warrant further investigation.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council delayed in responding to his emails about parking restrictions and enforcement.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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))

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mr X disputed the ticket the Council issued him. As part of Mr X’s complaint, he asked the Council for information about the parking restrictions and enforcement.
6. We have previously considered a complaint from Mr X about the parking restrictions and enforcement. We will not consider this part of his complaint again.
7. Mr X complains the Council had a significant delay in replying to his email. There is insufficient injustice caused by the delay to warrant further investigation.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is insufficient injustice caused by the delay to warrant further investigation.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman