Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the enforcement of a Penalty Charge Notice. This is because the Authority has now remedied the matter by refunding the full penalty charge.

The complaint

1. Mr X complains that the Authority failed to follow the correct procedure for a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) without making sure he got the letters about it. He only found out when he received the penalty, not the original £4 charge. He says this meant he could not reply in time. TfL did not accept his late reply, and he paid £270 to stop the penalty getting increasing.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word fault to refer to these. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we are satisfied with the actions an organisation has taken or proposes to take. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(7), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information from the complainant and the Authority, and the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

4. We will not investigate this complaint the Authority has now remedied the matter by refunding the full penalty charge.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman