Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Penalty Charge Notice. This is because Mr X has now paid the charge at a rate agreed with the Authority. An investigation would achieve nothing more.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Authority did not respond to his appeal against a Penalty Charge Notice for a moving traffic contravention. He says it then sent an enforcement notice 10 weeks later demanding the full charge, denying him the opportunity to pay at the reduced rate.

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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 there is no worthwhile outcome achievable by our investigation. (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 Authority.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. We will not investigate this complaint. Since bringing the complaint to us, Mr X has paid the penalty charge at a reduced rate agreed with the Authority. This discharges his liability for the offence. An investigation by us could achieve nothing more.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because an investigation would achieve nothing more.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman