Parking Prankster posts on POPLA Service Provision

Aaron_Aadvark

http://parking-prankster.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/should-popla-be-run-by-london-councils.html

The Parking Prankster has posted an important piece about the provision of POPLA by London Councils, an organisation ran by and for London's Local Authorities.

The legal grounds for this public body to provide a service on behalf of the private sector, operating mostly outside London, are highly dubious. London Councils will be retrospectively asking the local Councils in London to specifically approve the POPLA contract.

If readers who reside in London do not like the idea of their Council directly supporting the private parking industry then now is a good time for them to make their local councillors aware of their feelings.

peter_the_piper

It seems to me that, considering the many successful appeals, popla are doing a good job, but I don't live in London.

Aaron_Aadvark

peter_the_piper wrote: »

It seems to me that, considering the many successful appeals, popla are doing a good job, but I don't live in London.

POPLA do a good job for the PPCs of sorting out the 1/2% of victims who are likely to mount a sound defence in court, and providing a veneer of legitimacy for this cowboy industry.

Returning to the point, is it reasonable that London council tax payers support this private industry?

It is also worth noting that Nick Lester, the responsible London Councils officer is also a BPA Board member. No conflict of interest there?

Stroma

I've said from the start that they are not fit for purpose, if I was a tax payer in London I would be putting my opinion across over this. The fact that they are run by a member of the bpa who lets remind ourselves on what he accused NoToMob of in acceptance speech, shows that this so called independent appeals body is not in fact so.

They also gave help to parking companies by running basically classes on how to win at appeals, this is an organisation that should not exist as it stands right now, independent ? Crap!!

peter_the_piper

well, the ppc's did not listen obviously. Just show GPEOL to popla and they either don't show up or they fold. Anyway, anything that costs ppc's money is good.

bazster

Has everyone missed this bit?

In any case, it is not remotely possible that London Councils will be re-awarded the contract when it expires. Parking companies are not happy so many decisions are going in favour of the motorist and so will take their chances with another organisation who may be more likely to favour them.

The Beavis appeal will have been decided by then. If Mr. Beavis wins it will probably be on its way to the Supreme Court, and until that's decided I can't see anyone being prepared to bid for a new IAS contract if the main (but unwritten) condition is a more PPC-friendly interpretation of GPEOL. If Mr. Beavis loses PoPLA will probably change its approach overnight, unless Mr. Beavis presses on to the Supreme Court.

Umkomaas

bazster wrote: »

Has everyone missed this bit?

In any case, it is not remotely possible that London Councils will be re-awarded the contract when it expires. Parking companies are not happy so many decisions are going in favour of the motorist and so will take their chances with another organisation who may be more likely to favour them.

I read that as a speculative assessment by PP, rather than anything 'official' from London Councils or Nick Lester.

Do you read it somewhat differently bazster? Maybe I am 'missing' something.

Guys_Dad

I have a couple of points.

1. Does POPLA cost the London Councils anything or are they self funding or even generate a slight profit? Makes a difference.

2. If London councils vote "No", then what do we have as an appeal service if POPLA ceases?

I think, on balance, an appeal service that is gererous in its GPEOL appeals is better than nothing other than courts, bearing in mind an unfavourable POPLA result can always go to court.

Stroma

Yes but about 1% going to popla! it's hardly the success it's meant to be! how many council tickets go to tribunal ? Let's face facts here, most people don't know what popla is, their only reference to it is what parking companies say, so that being the case they say little if anything.

Popla does not work , it's an utter waste of time, the fact is this appeal service is unfair unless you are versed in legal jargon and have an internet connection and know about mse or pepipoo , if you don't then it's likely you'll lose.

Guys_Dad

Appealing, whether by POPLA or IAS or whatever, needs more publicity rather than scrapping the appeal service.

And I think that the last couple of months have increased the awareness and generally thrown light on the problem.

And every person we help is a disciple for the cause.

The_Deep

Does anyone know how much each appeal costs London Council Taxpayers? IIMU that each PPC chipped in £27 and the BPA another £100 or so. This surely should be enough to cover London Council's costs.

I have to say that I think that they have been doing a good job. I have seen few decisions with which I would disagree. If there was some skulduggery going on I am sure that a whistle-blower would have come forward by now