Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about multiple Penalty Charge Notices for multiple alleged parking contravention. Mr X has used the statutory representations and appeals procedure. Nor will we look at the complaint handling as it is not a good use of public resource if we are unable to deal with substantive issue.

The complaint

1. Mr X says the Council has wrongly issued multiple Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) and did not properly consider their representations about these PCNs. Mr X also complained about the Council’s complaint handling. He said the Council failed to take account of his need for reasonable adjustments and raised concerns about delays. Mr X said this caused distress.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes limits on what we can investigate.
3. We cannot normally investigate a complaint when someone has a right of appeal, reference or review to a tribunal about the same matter. However, we may decide to investigate if we consider it would be unreasonable to expect the person to use this right. If the person has already appealed we have no power to investigate. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(6)(a), as amended)
4. London Tribunals considers parking and moving traffic offence appeals for London, and the Traffic Penalty Tribunal for the rest of England.

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How I considered this complaint

5. I considered information from the complainant and the Council and the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

6. We cannot investigate this complaint because Mr X has already used the representations and appeals procedure. Nor will we look at the complaint handling as it is not a good use of public resource if we are unable to deal with substantive issue.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman