Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Penalty Charge Notices because further consideration of this complaint would not lead to a different outcome and we are satisfied with the actions the Council has taken in response to the complaint.

The complaint

1. Miss Y complained the Council failed to respond properly to her representations against three PCNs. Miss Y says this led to her being unable to appeal to the London Tribunals.

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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 further investigation would not lead to a different outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
3. London Tribunals considers parking and moving traffic offence appeals for London.
4. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word fault to refer to these. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we are satisfied with the actions an organisation has taken or proposes to take. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(7), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

5. I considered information Miss Y and the Council provided and the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. When Miss Y approached us, she told us that she was seeking the cancellation of the two PCNs the Council issued. In the Council’s response to Miss Y’s complaint in December 2025, it agreed to accept her representations for both PCNs, which the Council has now cancelled.
7. As this remedy has been provided, and is the remedy Miss Y sought, it is unlikely further consideration of this complaint would lead to a different outcome. Further, the remedy provided is appropriate to the alleged injustice caused by its fault and is in line with our guidance on remedies, so we are satisfied with the actions the Council has taken in response to the complaint. For these reasons we will not investigate Miss Y’s complaint.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Miss Y’s complaint because further consideration of this complaint would not lead to a different outcome and we are satisfied with the actions the Council has taken in response to the complaint.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman