Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about vehicle users use of blue badges to circumvent parking restrictions, or her concerns about the Council’s enforcement of parking restrictions because there is insufficient evidence of fault.

The complaint

1. Miss X complained the Council failed to investigate her concerns about vehicle users use of blue badges to circumvent parking restrictions and parking permit rules. Miss X said the Council failed to enforce parking violations.
2. Miss X said the matter caused her frustration.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. 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, section 34(B))

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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. We will not investigate this complaint. The Council explained to Miss X it was satisfied the use of blue badges in the area complained about were valid.
7. Blue badge holders can sometimes park in areas which may otherwise have restrictions for other vehicle users depending on the circumstances and restrictions in question. There is insufficient evidence of fault in how the Council considered the issues complained about, and so we will not investigate this complaint.

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Final decision

8. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman