Newcastle upon Tyne City Council (25 020 721)
Category : Transport and highways > Traffic management
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 18 May 2026
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about parking problems on her street. There is not sufficient evidence of fault in how the Council decided not to introduce a parking permit scheme.
The complaint
- Mrs X complains about the parking problems on her street. She complains the Council decided not to introduce a parking permit scheme to address the issues.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- 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))
- We consider whether there was fault in the way an organisation made its decision. If there was no fault in how the organisation made its decision, we cannot question the outcome. (Local Government Act 1974, section 34(3), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by Mrs X and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- Mrs X said the parking problems on her street started when a new business opened close to her home. She complained the Council decided not to introduce a parking permit scheme to help address the problems.
- The Council inspected the location and reviewed the evidence sent by Mrs X. The Council determined the location did not meet the criteria for introducing a parking permit scheme.
- I cannot find fault in how the Council decided not to introduce a parking permit scheme. Therefore, I cannot question the decision.
- I will not investigate this complaint about parking problems. There is not sufficient evidence of fault in how the Council decided not to introduce a parking permit scheme.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mrs X’s complaint about parking problems on her street. There is not sufficient evidence of fault in how the Council decided not to introduce a parking permit scheme.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman