Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a penalty charge notice as the complaint is made late and there are not good reasons to investigate now.

The complaint

1. Miss X complains she paid a penalty charge notice (PCN) in February 2022 but received a further demand for payment in October 2023. Miss X says she paid this charge as well and now seeks a refund.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. 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)

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How I considered this complaint

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

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My assessment

5. Miss X complained to us in January 2025 and as she has known about the matter she complains about since October 2023, her complaint to us is made late, that is, not within a year. Miss X gives no explanation as to why her complaint is late and I cannot see good reasons for us to investigate now.

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Final decision

6. We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because it is made late and there are not good reasons for us to investigate now.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman