Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s parking charges policy as the complaint is made late and there are not good reasons to investigate now.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council’s parking charges policy is unfair as, where he lives, he must pay to park, but residents in other Council areas do not. Mr X wants the policy to be changed so it is the same for all residents.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

5. The policy has been in place since 2009 and Mr X has not complained to us within a year of him knowing about it. My understanding is Mr X has been aware of this issue at least since 2013.
6. The complaint is therefore made late to us, and I cannot see good reasons for us to investigate now.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because the complaint is made late to us and there are not good reasons for us to investigate now.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman