Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about a parking penalty charge notice as Mr X appealed to the independent tribunal and as such, the matter is no longer within our legal remit.

The complaint

1. Mr X complained he was wrongly issued a parking penalty charge notice (PCN) for parking in a disabled bay. Mr X says the bay was not properly marked/signed and that he would never intentionally park in a disabled space. Mr X’s appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT) was unsuccessful. Mr X feels let down by the system.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We cannot investigate a complaint if someone has appealed to a tribunal about the matter. (Local Government Act 1974, section 26(6), as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

6. As per paragraph three, we no longer have any legal remit to investigate Mr X’s complaint since he appealed the PCN to the TPT.

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Final decision

7. We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint because it is not within our legal remit.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman