Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about parking issues reported to the Council. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify our involvement.

The complaint

1. Miss X complained about parking issues on her street due to events at a church. She said the street is often blocked and there were instances where she could not access her driveway. She said the inconsiderate parking caused her distress. She wants parking permits to be implemented on her street.

Back to top

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 not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating, or
• we cannot achieve the outcome someone wants

(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

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

Back to top

My assessment

5. Miss X complained about parking issues to the Council. In its response the Council said there were no parking restrictions in the area and the public had equal rights to park on a public highway as long as they had not contravened parking restrictions or caused an obstruction.
6. The Council provided Miss X the details of how to report a blocked dropped kerb and explained actions it could take in these circumstances. The Council said in the event of an obstruction, such as a car parked on her drive, this would be a matter Miss X could report to the police.
7. Miss X requested the Council implement a permit scheme in her local area. The Council confirmed the Highways Team said this would not be possible due to no available funding.
8. We will not investigate this complaint. The Council explained what action it could take in response to the public parking across a dropped footway and how to report it. It also signposted Miss X to the police to report any incidents of obstruction. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify the Ombudsman’s involvement.
9. Miss X requested a parking permit scheme be introduced to her area. The Council explained it would not be possible due to lack of funding. Therefore, we cannot achieve the outcome Miss X wants.

Back to top

Final decision

10. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence to justify our involvement.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman