Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council refusing to renew a parking permit which was issued in error. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

The complaint

1. Ms C complains that after issuing and renewing a resident parking permit for her address, the Council has recently told her that her property is not eligible for a permit. Ms C says despite the Council accepting this permit was issued and renewed in error the Council has not offered any practical solution.
2. Ms C says this decision will have a significant impact on her family because her car is essential. Ms C would like the Council to treat her as an exception and continue to issue permits for her address. Or, for the Council to provide a long term transitional arrangement or affordable parking close to her home.

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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 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 Ms C.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. Ms C’s property is not eligible for a residents parking permit because it is part of a car free development.
7. The Council accepts it issued Ms C with parking permits in error after she moved into her property in 2024.
8. I can understand why this gave Ms C the expectation she would receive parking permits indefinitely. But, this must be balanced against the fact Ms C has benefited from the use of a parking permit which her property is not eligible for.
9. We would not criticise the Council for refusing to renew a parking permit for a property which is not eligible for a permit. And, the Council has acted reasonably by allowing Ms C to use her current permit until it expires in May 2027. This gives Ms C a reasonable amount of time to make alternative arrangements. The Council is not responsible for providing Ms C with a parking solution for her property.
10. So, there is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

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Final decision

11. We will not investigate this complaint because there is not enough evidence of fault to justify an investigation.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman