Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about allocation of permits for a quieter neighbourhood scheme. The Council has now amended the scheme to allow residents to apply for a second permit. This is what Mr X wanted, so it is unlikely an investigation would lead to a different outcome or achieve anything more.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained the Council refused to issue him with a second permit for a Quieter Neighbourhood 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 further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.

(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 the complainant and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. In June 2026, the Council amended the scheme to allow residents to apply for a second permit. This is what Mr X wants. We will not investigate as it is unlikely an investigation would lead to a different outcome or achieve anything more.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is unlikely an investigation would lead to a different outcome or achieve any thing more.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman