Government Consultation re private parking charge levels, August 2021

Trainerman

Just to keep you all informed. I emailed my MP recently and I have already had an email reply saying he has written to the Minister concerned and will let me know of any reply. Sounds like one MP prepared to get stuck in at least !

Snakes_Belly

Trainerman said:

Just to keep you all informed. I emailed my MP recently and I have already had an email reply saying he has written to the Minister concerned and will let me know of any reply. Sounds like one MP prepared to get stuck in at least !

That's great.

They know how badly the public have been ripped off by these parking operators. They just need a bit of a reminder. 

patient_dream

Trainerman said:

Just to keep you all informed. I emailed my MP recently and I have already had an email reply saying he has written to the Minister concerned and will let me know of any reply. Sounds like one MP prepared to get stuck in at least !

Good news.   I think most MP's are sick to death with the complaints about private parking companies in their inbox. ?   Over the years the parking industry has made themselves a pigs ear and the new code of practice is pay back time

Fruitcake

I have been thinking about the section regarding certification of the Debt Collectors. I have suggested that as well as being FCA certified, both the PPCs and DRAs are signed up to a certified postal system.
Far too often we see a thread where a poster has not received documents or emails despite the PPCs claiming they have been sent.

They should be made to prove these documents have been sent by post as otherwise the fake add on debt charges will encourage PPCs and their agents to conveniently lose mail, have it conveniently delayed, or conveniently fail to arrive, thus meaning motorists will have missed appeal deadlines etcetera.

We don't advise motorists to send documents by any form of Paid For service as the PPC can refuse delivery and thus have proof they never received it. This type of practice should be prohibited and result in the PPC being penalised.

One of this country's most excellent Posties who have kept us going through the pandemic came up with an idea on a thread.
Send two copies, one paid for, and one first class from a Post Office Counter and obtaining a free proof of postage receipt to see if the former is refused, but still ensure the Interpretation Act is in play that presumes something sent first class will arrive on the second working day.

Proof of refusal should result in an immediate complaint by the motorist.

Snakes_Belly

"One of this country's most excellent Posties who have kept us going through the pandemic came up with an idea on a thread.
Send two copies, one paid for, and one first class from a Post Office Counter and obtaining a free proof of postage receipt to see if the former is refused, but still ensure the Interpretation Act is in play that presumes something sent first class will arrive on the second working day.

Proof of refusal should result in an immediate complaint by the motorist."

The alleged loss of documents by the Claimant or their rep sometimes results in an adjournment. 

Le_Kirk

Snakes_Belly said:

The alleged loss of documents by the Claimant or their rep sometimes results in an adjournment. 

But not every time and perhaps it should result in a loss for the claimant; they are supposed to be professionals and should have an admin system capable of not losing documents!  After all they often (try to) charge £60 for it!

Snakes_Belly

Regarding the cancellation of a claim made by a disabled badge holder on production of a valid disabled badge I think that the PPC's will say that this can be subject to misuse.

Disabled badge holders do not misuse their badges. The cases of misuse are often when the badge holder dies and a member of their family continues to use the badge. 

Fruitcake

Snakes_Belly said:

Regarding the cancellation of a claim made by a disabled badge holder on production of a valid disabled badge I think that the PPC's will say that this can be subject to misuse.

Disabled badge holders do not misuse their badges. The cases of misuse are often when the badge holder dies and a member of their family continues to use the badge. 

My family have all ripped into this hard and said that because the blue badge scheme does not apply on private land, other types of proof of a disability should be allowed such as a letter from a medical professional or a workplace disabled permit. 

PCNs, or whatever the new name is going to be (do we know yet?) should not be issued because no blue badge is on display when a vehicle is parked in an accessible bay. The assumption should be that an occupant of the vehicle has a disability classed as a protected characteristic according to the EA 2010 unless the PPC can prove to the contrary.

PPCs must prove a vehicle was parked outside bay markings, or parked without a valid P & D ticket, or that the driver left site, so I don't see why they shouldn't be required to prove a motorist does not have a right to park in an accessible bay.

I feel very strongly about this. It's bad enough having a disability, especially an hidden one, without having to explain to all and sundry about something very private and personal as well.

pustit

Hello Jenni_D

Can I ask two qs about your suggested letter to our local MP. before I post mine off.
1)   in the 2nd para.  1st sentence will it be better to put industry in inverted commas ?
2)   also in para. 2   What should I put here where it has been annotated  (including your colleague {Edited for anonymity}

Hope everyone else who has copied and pasted this have altered it appropriately

Thanks

Pustit

Incidentally, I sent this originally as a PM.  The PM facility now seems useless.  I checked my inbox to see if I had a reply but all I can see in the IN box is my SENT messages.  How ridiculous is that !

Snakes_Belly

Fruitcake said:

Snakes_Belly said:

Regarding the cancellation of a claim made by a disabled badge holder on production of a valid disabled badge I think that the PPC's will say that this can be subject to misuse.

Disabled badge holders do not misuse their badges. The cases of misuse are often when the badge holder dies and a member of their family continues to use the badge. 

My family have all ripped into this hard and said that because the blue badge scheme does not apply on private land, other types of proof of a disability should be allowed such as a letter from a medical professional or a workplace disabled permit. 

PCNs, or whatever the new name is going to be (do we know yet?) should not be issued because no blue badge is on display when a vehicle is parked in an accessible bay. The assumption should be that an occupant of the vehicle has a disability classed as a protected characteristic according to the EA 2010 unless the PPC can prove to the contrary.

PPCs must prove a vehicle was parked outside bay markings, or parked without a valid P & D ticket, or that the driver left site, so I don't see why they shouldn't be required to prove a motorist does not have a right to park in an accessible bay.

I feel very strongly about this. It's bad enough having a disability, especially an hidden one, without having to explain to all and sundry about something very private and personal as well.

I agree with your comments. There are also people who have short term disabilities. They will not issue a blue badge for a broken leg, etc.

If you have to borrow a wheelchair from the supermarket you need the space to get the person into the wheelchair. There is not enough space in the ordinary spaces for a wheelchair.  I had this problem with a relative who had an operation on their foot. They would not qualify for a blue badge as they were expected to recover.