Blackburn with Darwen Council (25 017 000)
Category : Transport and highways > Parking and other penalties
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 02 Mar 2026
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Penalty Charge Notice because we could not add to any previous investigation by the organisation and further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.
The complaint
- Dr Y complained the Council wrongly issued and pursued a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) against him after parking restriction signs were obscured.
- Dr Y says he was caused upset and has had sleepless nights and has spent time dealing with the matter.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- 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:
- we could not add to any previous investigation by the organisation, or
- further investigation would not lead to a different outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information Dr Y and the Council provided and the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- The Council cancelled the PCN Mr Y complained about. It also investigated the circumstances around the PCN being issued and why signage which gave information about the parking restrictions was not visible. The Council found that this was due to works in the area, which had led to the signage being covered. It has stopped enforcement action in the area until a sign is available to display the restrictions.
- As the Council has considered and investigated the complaint and acted to remedy the injustice by cancelling the PCN, it is unlikely the Ombudsman would be able to add to the original investigation. Further, the Council has offered a proportionate and appropriate remedy for the injustice caused by its fault which is in line with our own guidance on remedies. Consequently, it is unlikely further consideration of this complaint would lead to a different outcome. Therefore, we will not investigate this complaint.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Dr Y’s complaint because we could not add to any previous investigation by the organisation and further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman