Summary: We will use our discretion not to investigate this complaint about parking enforcement because the Council has responded to the complainant and he wants to close the complaint.

The complaint

1. The complainant, Mr X, complained the Council had not taken adequate action to deal with parking problems and had failed to reply to his reports.

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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’. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
3. It is our decision whether to start, and when to end an investigation into something the law allows us to investigate. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 24A(6) and 34B(8), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by Mr X and our Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mr X complained to us about a failure by the Council to respond about parking issues.
6. Before we had taken any action, Mr X contacted us to say the Council had responded and we could close the case.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate this complaint at the request of Mr X.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman