PCN local council - wrong registration

Orford

fluffnutter wrote: »

I'm quite looking forward to receiving my letters about my recent private carpark 'offence'. From reading some threads though I may have a long wait! Some of the 'offences' are years old before people receive their 'fines'.

I shall not be cowered though when I do. And it's thanks to the great support and advice on MSE.

No moral qualms here then

DaveF327

fluffnutter wrote: »

Out of interest (and I'm genuinely not being obtuse), what's the difference between a fine and a fixed penalty?

A fine is variable and officially imposed by a court. A fixed penalty, by its very name, is "fixed" with the amount clearly printed on it and can be handed out by Police officers, PCSOs and traffic wardens.

Coblcris

fluffnutter wrote: »

Is it morally OK to not pay the fine on a technicality? The OP does admit that they didn't buy a ticket.

It is not a matter of a technicality, it is a matter of statutory compliance.

As I have mentioned elsewhere, the vast majority of the parking legilsation binds the councils not the drivers. Councils have to get it right, they are paid quite well (and pensioned very well) to do this and have been given copious detailed advice on how to be compliant.
Yet we observe many times non-compliance on the parts of councils, including in some instances what can only be called huge non-compliance.

There is a saying about a mote and a splinter which seems applicable.

The incorrect VRN is a clear and glaring compliance failure, which is what makes it fatal to the PCN.

Councils are fond of telling appellants "It is the driver's responsibility to check the signs every time they park". Well councils also have responsibilities and there are conseqeunces to not carrying them out. One of them is "It is the council's responsibility every time a PCN is issued to ensure the correct VRN is recorded"

Another saying about sauces and geese springs to mind.

Dr.Shoe_2

Indeed.

They will not cancel a ticket because you made a genuine mistake so why should you pay up if they make one?

jazabelle

I appealed on a ticket a couple of years ago. I was unpacking my car outside my home, on double yellows. I was only there for a few minutes. I appealed, explaining it took me a bit longer than expected as I can't move very fast. I didn't think I would get very far with the council, but it was worth a try as it was the truth.

Anyway, I got a letter back saying they could not overthrow it on those kind of reasons, but they were cancelling the ticket as the warden had swapped two numbers around on the registration plate (which I hadn't even noticed!). I hadn't even appealed on that ground, so I would definely appeal and say that.

Coupon-mad

jazabelle wrote: »

I hadn't even appealed on that ground, so I would definitely appeal and say that.

But in this case the OP should definitely not contact them now.

If no NTO is ever sent to the OP in this case then they cannot trace him and that will be that. If an NTO is somehow sent to him, then he can appeal.

Hadeon

Coupon-mad wrote: »

But in this case the OP should definitely not contact them now.

If no NTO is ever sent to the OP in this case then they cannot trace him and that will be that. If an NTO is somehow sent to him, then he can appeal.

Totally agree with you Coupon-mad - OP, under NO circumstances should you contact the Council to point out their error.

In the hopefully unlikely event that you do receive an NTO, please post back before responding.

Coblcris

If you recieve an NTO then consider suing the council.
I know that I would.