Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about a parking penalty charge notice. This is because Ms X has appealed against it to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal and the matter is therefore no longer within our remit.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains the Council unfairly and disproportionately issued her with a parking penalty charge notice (PCN) for not having paid to park. Ms X says she did pay to park but made a one-character error when she input her vehicle registration into the parking app. Ms X wants the PCN to be cancelled.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We cannot investigate a complaint if someone has appealed to a tribunal about the matter. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(6), as amended)

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

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

Back to top

My assessment

6. Ms X has appealed the PCN to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT). As per paragraph three, we can no longer investigate.

Back to top

Final decision

7. We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint because it is outside our remit as Ms X has appealed to the TPT about it.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman