Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of a request to introduce a resident only parking zone. This is because there is not enough evidence the Council is at fault to justify an investigation.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains the Council refused his request to introduce a resident only parking zone. He says the Council did not investigate thoroughly and disagrees with the Council’s decision to refuse his request and wishes to appeal.

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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 to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)
3. If there was no fault in how the organisation made its decision, we cannot question the outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 34(3), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. Mr X asked the Council to introduce resident only parking in the road where he lives. He says people park inconsiderately near his home, in particular at school drop-of and collection times.
7. The Council considered the request and informed Mr X the road was not suitable for a resident parking zone as it did not meet the criteria. Mr X complained to the Council about the decision. The response shows the Council visited the road again but came to the same conclusion which was to refuse a resident parking zone.
8. The Ombudsman is not an appeal body. In making its decision, the Council took account of its own policies and information from Mr X and we cannot question whether the decision was right or wrong, regardless of whether he disagrees with the decision the Council made. The Council followed the appropriate procedures when making this decision and I cannot therefore criticise it.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault to warrant us investigating.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman