Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council’s response to parking issues on private land because we cannot achieve the outcome Ms X is seeking.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains the Council has refused to address parking issues on private land. She seeks changes in parking policy to address this.

Back to top

The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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 we cannot achieve the outcome someone wants. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))

Back to top

How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by Ms X and the Council.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

Back to top

My assessment

5. Ms X complained to the Council about parking issues. The Council told Ms X the car park was on private land and so it had no power to take action. It signposted Ms X to contact the police if she had queries about its own published information.
6. As the car park is on private land, the Council has no power to take action as Ms X seeks. And an investigation by us cannot achieve this outcome.

Back to top

Final decision

7. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint as we cannot achieve the outcome she is seeking.

Back to top

Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman