Shoal Enforcement PPC

Very_worried_mum

Hi Sirdan

First of all, thank you so much.

The reason I am very happy about this email from the BPA is that Shoal Enforcement was being promoted to us as a BPA approved member - and in fact they are not. Which therefore means someone somewhere is telling fibs. By having the BPA give me this information in writing, it further backs up the complaint that I have already filed with my HA about Shoal Enforcement - though they claimed or Shoal Enforcement claimed that they are a BPA member - which makes them look good - they have made a fraudulent claim - does that therefore mean they are in breach of the contract that they have made with our HA? That, I don't know, but telling porkies just to get a contract certainly cannot do a company's image any good at all - not that they had a good image to begin with.

esmerobbo

Sirdan wrote: »

I think there may be some confusion here .

1) ANYONE can request and be given information re a registered keeper from DVLA if they can show reasonable cause.
This includes private parking companies who are not members of the AOS but are members of the BPA.

2) Following on from 1) there is a distinct difference between being a BPA member and being a BPA AOS member. Not all BPA members are in the AOS .

3) AOS members have a direct electronic link to DVLA to access information but non AOS BPA members can still lawfully request information by submitting as written request (as already said ANYONE can do this ).

So in summary just because Shoal are not AOS does not mean they are not BPA and if they are standard "non AOS" BPA members they can still get the info they want.

Not according to the email I have from DVLA!



Dear Mr .

Could you just clarify for me, does a private parking company need to be a member of the BPA approved operators scheme to obtain keepers details either electronically or by post. Or do they need only be members of the BPA.
Thank you for your time.

Regards Esmerobbo.


Dear Mr Esmerobbo

I can confirm that a private parking company needs to be a member of the BPA’s approved operator scheme before the DVLA will release vehicle keeper details to them for the purpose of issuing tickets or chasing non payment.

I hope this helps with your queries.

Very_worried_mum

esmerobbo wrote: »

Not according to the email I have from DVLA!



Dear Mr .

Could you just clarify for me, does a private parking company need to be a member of the BPA approved operators scheme to obtain keepers details either electronically or by post. Or do they need only be members of the BPA.
Thank you for your time.

Regards Esmerobbo.


Dear Mr Esmerobbo

I can confirm that a private parking company needs to be a member of the BPA’s approved operator scheme before the DVLA will release vehicle keeper details to them for the purpose of issuing tickets or chasing non payment.

I hope this helps with your queries.

I am really pleased to learn this. Thanks so much for sharing this info.

I am putting together a pack of information to circulate to the other residents so they are aware of what is going on, backed up with written confirmation from such major organisations.

One of the residents here came to see me in tears because she can't even afford to pay the supposed fine she's been given. I've tried to reassure her that I am doing my best to get educated about what our rights are, as well as filing the formal complaint to our HA. However, we still have until 18 January to learn more.

Fergie76

From DVLA website:

All car parking companies who require vehicle keeper details to contact drivers, who may have failed to comply with conditions for parking, have to provide evidence that a parking charge scheme is in operation and they are acting on behalf of the landowner. Companies have to confirm that they are members of an Accredited Trade Associate which has a mandatory code of practice that all members must adhere to.

HO87

Fergie76 wrote: »

From DVLA website:

All car parking companies who require vehicle keeper details to contact drivers, who may have failed to comply with conditions for parking, have to provide evidence that a parking charge scheme is in operation and they are acting on behalf of the landowner. Companies have to confirm that they are members of an Accredited Trade Associate which has a mandatory code of practice that all members must adhere to.

All entirely correct. However, this is where there is a degree of confusion created by the DVLA that they seem unable (or is it unwilling?) to finally nail. The only ATA for parking companies is the BPA. This is not further qualified either on their website or in any letter or FOI request I have seen thusfar. It does not say the BPA Approved Operator Scheme, simply the BPA. I go along with Sirdan and remain of the view that BPA members can make written applications and BPA AOS members get access to the "electronic link" - if they so wish. Nev Metson (and others) have been at pains for some time to try and get to the bottom of this and the DVLA don't want to finally clarify it - for some reason.

Coupon-mad

I saw an FOI request by NevMetson (poster here) to the DVLA which did clarify this question and they insisted that to get data the firm DOES have to be in an ATA and the only one at the moment is the AOS of the BPA. Nev asked to clarify that BPA membership alone wasn't enough and the DVLA said no, it has to be an ATA and at the mo the only one is the AOS specifically.

Can't find it right now.

And to Very_worried_Mum, the reason the BPA doth protest so much is because they kicked Shoal out we understand and they are keen to distance themselves from that firm now. This time last year it was a different story. I wouldn't be that pleased with a letter from the BPA (IMHO a disreputable/pointless members' club for clampers) if I were you but I can see that it does help your specific case a little as the HA may agree they have had the wool pulled over their eyes.

Very_worried_mum

Dear All

Just to update that the response from the HA to my letter of complaint was due yesterday. They emailed me to say that they still have not concluded their investigations and I should hear by the end of the week. I'll keep you posted.