Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Penalty Charge Notice. Mr X has already used the statutory representations and appeals procedure.

The complaint

1. Mr X says the Council failed to properly follow the parking enforcement process after it issued him with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes limits on what we can investigate.
3. The law says we cannot normally investigate a complaint when someone has a right of appeal, reference or review to a tribunal about the same matter. However, we may decide to investigate if we consider it would be unreasonable to expect the person to use this right. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(6)(a), as amended)
4. London Tribunals considers parking and moving traffic offence appeals for London, and the Traffic Penalty Tribunal for the rest of England.

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How I considered this complaint

5. I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council.
6. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

7. The Council issued Mr X with a PCN for an alleged traffic contravention in July 2025.
8. Mr X used the statutory representations and appeals procedure to challenge the PCN. Mr X has since paid the PCN.
9. Parliament has provided a process for motorists to challenge PCNs. We will not investigate this complaint because Mr X has already used the statutory representations and appeals procedure.
10. Mr X is also unhappy with the Council’s complaint handling. It is not a proportionate use of our resources to investigate the Council’s complaint handling or ancillary matters when we are not investigating the substantive issues.

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Final decision

11. We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because Mr X has already used the statutory representations and appeals procedure.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman