REVIVING THE PRIVATE PARKING BILL

Protest

Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 I believe is a simpler Act in that its effects are policed by the employees. Consultation started in April 24 so the current administration had a simple rubber stamp to apply to a finished product.

Private Parking Act was 2019 and has complex regulatory arrangements, but even today we do not have a finished product to rubber stamp. At some stage the Department/Ministry and its management needs to be held to account for the 2022 drafting debacle and the ongoing and excessive delay - but don't hold your breath!!!!!

Coupon-mad

It wasn't a drafting debacle in 2022.  Nothing wrong with the drafting and it sailed through Parliament.

Protest

12 Oct 24 Coupon-Mad: "drafting debacle in 2022."........... sailed through Parliament. 

2022 refers to the draft regulations which, I understand, never got to Parliament. But they sank at the first threat of judicial review, an industry response that should have been more-ably anticipated and countered!

And today...

"I am responding as the Minister responsible for this policy area..........I would like to reassure you that we recognise that private parking is an important resource for motorists; we understand, however, that a lack of consistency and transparency has been a source of frustration. We are therefore determined to raise standards within the industry. The Government is currently reviewing the practices of the private parking sector and what action can be taken in this space. As stated in the Department’s previous response ....... the Government will announce its plans for the private parking sector and the Code of Practice in due course."

This is a bit foggy around the issue of cost-capping which is central to effective regulation of this industry. And still no sense of urgency or deadline.

Whatever2023

The level of the Parking Charge is already capped, and has been for many years. 

Coupon-mad

Protest said:

12 Oct 24 Coupon-Mad: "drafting debacle in 2022."........... sailed through Parliament. 

2022 refers to the draft regulations which, I understand, never got to Parliament. 

No that is incorrect.

The DLUHC Code of Practice was laid before Parliament in Spring 2022 and sailed through.

But they sank at the first threat of judicial review, an industry response that should have been more-ably anticipated and countered!.

Yep. The then DLUHC was naive.

Protest

Still no more than "as soon as possible".....!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14129191/Drivers-cowboy-parking-firms-Motorists-handed-tickets-private-firms-motoring-groups-demand-crackdown.html

Humdinger1

@Protest I'm not sure how much of the following you're aware of so apologies in advance if I'm covering old ground.

@Coupon-mad is sitting - by invitation- on a government panel to look at this.  A key moment in the push against PPCs was 2019 which was I think when Sir Greg Knight's bill to rein in the sector went to Parliament.  PPCs put up a fight and gained a Judicial Review.  Ministers kept changing and that slowed everything down and then of course the General Election in May.  Having done some voluntary work in my MPs office, I know that the committees couldn't be reformed till October.

@Coupon-mad has said in another post that the committee has started again.  She will be bound by terms of strict confidentiality and will be able to say very little, if anything. The new government is going through everything and there will be more news I think next year.

I'm not sure if you are concerned that the ball has been dropped but from what I see from here that's not the case.  There is a process - infuriating as it is, it has to be followed to avoid another Judicial Review which would slow things down even more.

Given all the voluntary help that @Coupon-mad has provided over the years here as well as many other stalwarts; and the part they've played in getting the issue onto the agenda, there is zero chance that this will go away, or that it will be forgotten much as the PPCs would like that.  It's an utterly inspiring example of people doing the right thing for no other reason than to right a towering injustice. 

Thanks to everyone contributing to this cause.  On one level, it's about parking tickets; on another, it's about fundamental issues of justice and standing up and saying no to appalling behaviour.

Humdinger 

Coupon-mad

Having done some voluntary work in my MPs office, I know that the committees couldn't be reformed till October.

There is a process - infuriating as it is, it has to be followed to avoid another Judicial Review which would slow things down even more.

there is zero chance that this will go away, or that it will be forgotten 

Correct on all counts @Humdinger1

The SoS 'must' lay before Parliament a statutory Code of Practice. So I am confident it will happen. The Tories did that in 2022 but were blocked by JRs.

It is a fine tooth-comb process to avoid a repeat of that mess and the Labour Ministers have to go over what went before, of course.

It is frustrating but requires extra work.

I hope we'll have more news in early 2025.

Humdinger1

Thank you @Coupon-mad for everything you've done and continue to do.  You and other major contributors to this board are truly inspirational.  Humdinger 

Fruitcake

Whatever2023 said:

The level of the Parking Charge is already capped, and has been for many years. 

That's not true. Parking companies have been adding on fake admin' or debt collection costs on top of the original suggested limit of £100 for some time. This fake charge was invented by Gary Osner, despite being against what their Lordships said in the Beavis case, and despite what the PoFA 2012 says.

In addition, at an ATA's discretion, this £100 charge can be exceeded provided the PPC gives a reason for this that is accepted by the ATAs