Council withdrawing free staff car park !!!!

Cazza

I work for a County Council, there is a charge for parking on-site, deducted from your payslip and no guarantee of a space. This was implemented around 5 years ago. I started working there 3 years ago and I'm not entitled to park onsite at all, I have to fend for myself on the streets nearby or in a public car park. The only "new" people allowed car park passes since the policy was implemented are "essential car users". They have barriers on the car parks too so you can't sneak in.

It's actively encouraged that people don't use their own cars for work travel though. Public Transport is encouraged as part of the green sustainability policy. If that's not practical (not unusual because it's a rural area) then you can use a pool car. All much cheaper to the council than paying mileage. Oh, and the mileage rates are pretty good - higher than the tax free rate agreed by HMRC, so I wouldn't knock them. They're agreed on a national basis for all Local Government employees.

I'm sorry, but I think maybe you've been lucky your employer's not gone down this route before.

lynzpower

Cazza wrote: »

I work for a County Council, there is a charge for parking on-site, deducted from your payslip and no guarantee of a space. This was implemented around 5 years ago. I started working there 3 years ago and I'm not entitled to park onsite at all, I have to fend for myself on the streets nearby or in a public car park. The only "new" people allowed car park passes since the policy was implemented are "essential car users". They have barriers on the car parks too so you can't sneak in.

It's actively encouraged that people don't use their own cars for work travel though. Public Transport is encouraged as part of the green sustainability policy. If that's not practical (not unusual because it's a rural area) then you can use a pool car. All much cheaper to the council than paying mileage. Oh, and the mileage rates are pretty good - higher than the tax free rate agreed by HMRC, so I wouldn't knock them. They're agreed on a national basis for all Local Government employees.

I'm sorry, but I think maybe you've been lucky your employer's not gone down this route before.

But isnt it really an issue as to whether the OP IS an essential car user.

I think this is the crux of the matter: fine if you dont need the car throughout the day and its just parked there: of course you should pay/ go private. But if there is a need for the car + the car is used on daily basis for appointments then I think they should be able to get it paid for as a business cost ( like parking costs when you see a client) Otherwise to park outside ( in private) then claim the parking costs out of expenses.

All depends whether OP is an essential car user or not.

StephenM_2

Jai_M wrote: »

Sorry, rewind, you mean like the rest of the UK workforce you now have to pay for parking? absolutely shocking!

I've worked in the private sector all my working life (since 1981). I've always had and still have free parking at work. Everyone does where I work.

custardy

StephenM wrote: »

I've worked in the private sector all my working life (since 1981). I've always had and still have free parking at work. Everyone does where I work.

always the same with public sector
according to some the private sector are doing the equivalent of Victorian child chimney sweeping

jc808

saintjammyswine wrote: »

Most of our essential car users (people who go out and see employers as their main job) are unable to park here and the powers that be will only re-imburse parking fees for visits to employers, not for coming here for meetings etc. Many of them now refuse to bring their car & get public transport instead to meetings meaning they are unable (unwilling to carry) to bring a lot of information & paperwork needed!!!!

Being expected to attend meetings at your office.
Having to carry information and paperwork.

On public transport.

Dickensian. Have you contacted the police about these third-world, sweatshop conditions in which you are expected to work?

Appaling, utterly appaling

londonbabe73

Hi,

Just clarify when I took my job I had to have a car in order to do the job as I work procuring properties so I have to go all over the borough
Finding properties for the council to rent .

In order to do this I need my car otherwise it will take me 3 times as long to do my job . And they have cut hours too so no time to catch up hours lost whilst I'm sitting on the bus !!!.

I'm aware there is a recession but it's one thing after the other , mileage has gone from 79pto 39p per mile so I'm already compensating the council .

It's just one thing after another , might have to get the bike out after all .......

ceridwen

londonbabe73 wrote: »

I sent an email to facilities management today as the policy is laughable
They also want to demand if you are not an employee ie a temp you must pay by direct debit ( in advance of course!!)

Personally I think if everyone had a back bone we could have fought it because it's outrageous that your on a pay freeze yet now you have to pay out to do my job the mileage payments are crap too .

Am considering taking my bike and if I have to do a visit take the damm bus !!!! ( and take all day instead of couple of hours)

Also if you on holiday for 2 weeks you still have to pay it's like the bloody gym !!!! But at least when I pay I know I can get in !!!

Personally - thats exactly what I would do in those circumstances - ie say that I was using my bike and/or public transport to do my job unless and until they reinstated my free carparking space. The way they've done this (ie charging you even if you're not there or cant get the space you've paid for) comes over to me as a "de facto" paycut on top of the paycut as such. You may have to tell a little white lie and say that, in view of the paycut (the official one that is....:cool:) you cant afford to run a car any more and have sold it. That way - they couldnt assume you would have a car available they could use.

If it was just a question of "Must get the employees to pay for their space" - then they would guarantee there would be a space for them each time and not charge them on days that they wouldnt be using it.

****************************

Edited to add - I am a non cardriver myself - and "greenie" enough that I believe people should use public transport to get to/from work if its available (rather than their own car).

But - in this instance - it is clear that the employER needs the employee (ie yourself) to have the use of a car DURING workhours. In that case - they deal with the costs attendant on the need for transport and, as I said, I wouldnt be providing that "transport" for them any more in your position. I would get together with other ESSENTIAL users (ie those needing cars to do their job properly) and ask the Union to ensure there were free carparking spaces for (and ONLY for) such essential users. Have the Union point out how much less work you will all be able to accomplish in a day if using bikes/public transport and see if the Council realises then how difficult it will be for them to get their work done.

Do NOT bother about those who only drive their cars to work to suit themselves and then dont need them for the job itself - there won't be any public sympathy for them, but the public do understand that it wouldnt be a good idea for the Council not to be able to get as much work done by depriving people of the car usage they need to do their jobs as efficiently as possible.

hcb42

londonbabe73 wrote: »

In order to do this I need my car otherwise it will take me 3 times as long to do my job . And they have cut hours too so no time to catch up hours lost whilst I'm sitting on the bus !!!.

I'm aware there is a recession but it's one thing after the other , mileage has gone from 79pto 39p per mile so I'm already compensating the council .

It's just one thing after another , might have to get the bike out after all .......

79p!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am absolutely staggered, and I also thought there was a HMRC limit or at least guideline on this. No wonder they have changed the policy. THat was disgraceful and sounds like your council are completely inept there. At least they have brought it down to a more normal level now. 39p is fine, and how you are compensating the council for getting 39p a mile I dont know.


Getting the bike out is a good idea. Councils, like all large companies need to ensure that the reliance on private car is reduced significantly. THis often needs carrot and stick approaches to force change. All big employers/new businesses need a travel plan. Sounds like this one might be working, good news.

Of course you could just get the bus to work, and then use a pool car, so it wont take three times as long to do your job.

Horace

Welcome to the real world. At least in London they have a great transport system: buses, tubes and even the mayor's cycles that you can hire.

Councils are everywhere are changing their parking strategies even on their public car parks, there used to be a time when you could park after 6pm for free and at weekends for free - not any more, you have to pay regardless and they are more dictatorial in that you have to be parked precisely between the white lines or you get fined.

Free parking for employees is a perk as your employer actually doesnt have to provide parking at all. £2 a day is reasonable - you could pay upwards of £9 to park all day in Birmingham.

If you have a job where you have to go and do council business during the day then you ask to borrow a pool car which is what you would have to do if you left your car at home. Be thankful OP that you have a job because there are millions out there who don't.

LittleVoice

Jai_M wrote: »

I am a little confused about the following...."But at least when I pay I know I can get in !!! ", is that into the car park, or into work??

I don't understand your confusion.

The poster was writing about paying for gym membership in advance and when unable to make use of the facilities because they were on holiday or unwell. They knew that if they did turn up to the gym they would be able to get in and make use of those facilities.

HTH