Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about a parking penalty charge notice as it has been considered by a tribunal and is therefore no longer within our remit.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council failed to properly investigate his complaint about an unfairly issued parking penalty charge notice (PCN). Mr X lost his appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT) about the PCN. Mr X says this has caused him distress and financial hardship.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We cannot investigate a complaint if someone has appealed to a tribunal about the matter. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(6), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. As per paragraph three, as this matter has been considered by a tribunal, the TPT, it is no longer within our remit to investigate.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is no longer within our remit since it has been considered by the TPT.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman