Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a parking penalty. This is because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons why Ms X did not complain sooner.

The complaint

1. Ms X complained the Council issued her a parking penalty. She said did not provide proof that she parked over the allocated time.
2. She said she did not receive a notice of rejection letter from the Council or information she requested. She said it has caused her anxiety and depression. She wants to appeal the parking penalty.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. 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

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

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My assessment

6. The Council issued Ms X a parking penalty in February 2024. The Council sent her a Notice to Owner in March 2024. Ms X submitted her representations in April 2024, and the Council said it sent a notice of rejection the following week.
7. Ms X did not complain to us until October 2025. We expect people to complain to us within 12 months of becoming aware of the matter complained of. Miss X’s complaint is late and there are no good reasons why she did not complain sooner. We will therefore not investigate her complaint.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint because the complaint is late and there are no good reasons why Ms X did not complain sooner.

Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman