BCN for hospital staff

ProfGinge

I have an interesting conundrum and apologies if there has been a similar thread - i couldn't see it.
I work at a hospital trust and have a parking permit which I pay up front for a year in advance (~£300). One day my permit wasn't in the car, although my previous permit was visible (thus showing that 2 months before I had a valid staff permit. I get a BCN on my car, so immediately email the "Solicitor"/debt collection company who acts on behalf of the Trust with a photo of my valid permit. They refuse to back down and after 3 or 4 emails they say I must appeal in writing. Their argument is that the parking regulations say permits must be displayed and thus I am in breach of contract.
I left it a few months to see whether I heard back, then get another email (pay within 14 days or we take you to county court). I reply in writing (making the same points about having a valid permit/entitled to park etc plus a few comments about why they should be pursuing hard pressed staff etc, asking for a gesture of goodwill). They send me another email in reply saying." My Client is very clear with the policy that is in place and would like to advise that no exceptions can be made when a breach has occurred"
After reading some of the threads here I probably have gone about things i the wrong way but I'm really incredulous that they would chase staff in this way.
I have admitted that my permit was not displayed and have tried to win them over on the moral argument - obviously big mistake! I have now written back to them to say that the Trust need to prove that a loss has occurred due to the breach of contract.
I have also asked them to send me copies of all the correspondence that the company has had with the Trust, as all I am getting is emails from the robot in the debt collectors office, for all I know they just wait a week and then send a set reply without actually talking to anyone in the Trust.
I was going to email the head of Estates in the Trust directly, but according to the Trust website this position is vacant, Ha! I will probably email the CEO of the Trust directly to appeal to their better nature. However I heard a rumour that a surgeon was taken to court over a parking issue and the court found in the Trust's favour! Several of my colleagues have been bullied into paying these fines, but I've no idea of the scale of the problem.
Anyone else had a similar issue with their employer?

KeithP

Welcome to the forum.

There are dozens of similar threads.

Here's what is probably the most publicised:

Nurses in Cardiff NHS face huge bills

You too can find many more by putting something like NHS nurses hospital into the forum search facility.

For other employers, try searching for Meadowhall.

fisherjim

You have not grasped the situation at all with private parking tickets, read the newbies thread, but for goodness sake stop communicating with debt collectors, they only get their money by bullying people into paying their inflated charges which are added on top of the original fee.

Debt collectors have no morals, no goodwill, and your request for proof of loss is dead in the water!

Who are the muppets you have been dealing with?

It doesn't matter if the "head of estates" position is vacant, they must have a manager above them, and there must be staff below that position to complain too, and I'm sure someone is still issuing passes.

waamo

Is the trust issuing tickets themselves or is a private company involved?

steve1500

Which Trust