Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council unfairly excluded him from a residents parking permit scheme. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault causing injustice to Mr X.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council unfairly excluded him from a residents parking permit scheme.

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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 there is not enough evidence of fault causing injustice to the person who complained. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

5. When Mr X first contacted the Council about the residents parking permit scheme, he was told residents in his building were eligible for the scheme.
6. When Mr X tried to apply for a parking permit, he learnt that his building was not eligible. The Council apologised for their initial communication error and explained to Mr X why his building is not eligible for a permit.
7. I am satisfied that the Council properly applied their resident parking scheme when determining Mr X was not eligible for a permit. I am also satisfied that the Council properly advised Mr X his building is a car free development.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Mx X’s complaint the Council unfairly excluded him from a residents parking permit scheme. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault causing injustice to Mr X.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman