Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) for an alleged parking or traffic contravention. There is not enough evidence of fault as Mr X is not the registered keeper of the vehicle and so the Council is not obliged to discuss the matter with him. Additionally, the Council have cancelled the PCN so there is no worthwhile outcome achievable by our investigation.

The complaint

1. Mr X says the Council did not properly consider their representations about two Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) for alleged traffic contraventions.

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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 no worthwhile outcome achievable by our investigation. (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 from the complainant and the Council and the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

4. We will not investigate this complaint because Mr X is not the registered keeper of the vehicle. The Council have cancelled the PCN so there is no worthwhile outcome achievable by our investigation.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman