Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council handled changes to parking in a town centre. This is because the alleged fault has not caused Mr B a personal and significant injustice.

The complaint

1. Mr B complains the Council did not follow the correct process before introducing pay and display parking on some town centre roads where it was free to park during specified hours. Mr B says this has caused him an injustice because he would park his car in this location three times a week. Mr B would like the Council to re-introduce free parking on these streets.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. People may complain to us about injustice caused by:
• ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’ by a public organisation we could investigate; or
• the actions of an organisation in connection with privately arranged adult social care.

(Local Government Act 1974, section 26A(1) or section 34C(1)(a)).

3. We provide a free service but must use public money carefully. We do not start an investigation if we decide any injustice is not significant enough to justify our involvement (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), or section 34B(8)).

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by Mr B.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. The law means we can choose only to investigate a complaint where the person who has complained has suffered serious loss, harm, or distress as a direct result of faults or failures by the body complained about. We will not normally investigate a complaint where the alleged loss or injustice is not a serious or significant matter.
7. Mr B is not affected by the Council’s decision more than any other resident or visitor who wishes to park in this town centre. And, the alleged injustice is not serious or significant enough to justify public money being spent on an investigation into how the Council made this decision.
8. So, we will not investigate this complaint.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate this complaint because the alleged fault has not caused Mr B a personal and significant injustice.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman