Penalty Charge Notice Appeal

p1c2j333

I was issued a Penalty Charge Notice by the Council's officer on the spot (at a council's parking bay) as I was loading some purchase from a meat shop. The officer told me that he has been spying on me for 7 minutes at the corner of the road. I have tried to explain to him that I was there only for less than 5 minutes to load my stuff but he just did not listen and issued me the PCN. I have searched and found out that there is a "10 minute grace period" for drivers after their paid-for parking tickets expire. Could anybody please advise me that this also applies to my case so that I can appeal to the local council within 14 Days as from 09/11/18? Have gone through the "NEWBIES" but could not find anything similar. Many thanks.

Coupon-mad

The NEWBIES thread is only about private parking tickets.

Yours is a Council one and your appeal is NOT about any ten minute grace period (that's if it follows a paid-for parking period). Your appeal is simply that loading is an exempt activity, and you need to prove you were collecting and loading, NOT SHOPPING/PAYING.

Someone who was genuinely loading is allowed a reasonable time to do so and it can be more than 10 mins. Certainly observing for just 7 minutes is not a long time and as long as you don't start talking about shopping/paying, your appeal should work at second stage.

As long as this is your car that you own (not a company car or leased one, where any Notice to Owner will not come to you).

p1c2j333

Thank you very much for your advice. This is my own car, but shall I start to raise the informal challenge form with the council now or shall I wait until the NTK/NTO arrives?

Coupon-mad

I would go through all stages. You need to provide evidence of loading and that this meat was pre-paid and not 'shopping activity'.

p1c2j333

Appreciating your help, Coupon-mad. The council has agreed to cancel this PCN.