The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of Mr X’s Penalty Charge Notices. This is because the complaint is late.
The complaint
Mr X complains the Council: Handled his Penalty Charge Notices poorly from 2021 and 2022; Communicated with him poorly; and Handled his complaint poorly.
A ‘Penalty Charge Notice’ is a fine given to vehicle owners for breaking driving or parking rules.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council has done. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by Mr X and the Council.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
The Council took enforcement action against Mr X for non-payment of two Penalty Charge Notices in 2021 and 2022. It is reasonable Mr X first knew about these matters more than 12 months before bringing his complaint to the Ombudsman. This complaint is late, and I consider there is no good reason to investigate now.
It is not a good use of public resources to investigate complaints about poor communication or complaints procedures if we are not investigating the substantive issue.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is late and there is no good reason to investigate now.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman