REVIVING THE PRIVATE PARKING BILL

Protest

Coupon-mad said:

I'm a bit concerned by a general move by this Government to quash regulation and encourage 'growth'. 

Almost a Tory approach. The growth will be in rip-offs.

The standard model of regulation (OFCOM, OFGEN, OFWAT etc) is hardly encouraging. The adoption of an "ombudsman" or "dispute resolution" interface, often industry-funded, leaves the consumer on the outside - just like the way the parking industry works. And the alternative of court action is too complex and costly, and the industry well knows.

Caveat emptor

Nellymoser

Oh it's rather worrying to read the HCLG Parliamentary Under-SoS Baroness Taylor since her appointment talk about "allowing parking operators to manage car parks effectively."

 With her previous knowledge of the issues and the evidence MHCLG dept already hold she surely must know private parking practice is about generating income from motorists it's nothing whatsoever to do with managing car parks effectively. If she doesn't know or want to then I think motorists may be doomed. 😟 

I'd such high hopes for a Labour MHCLG but I'm now beginning to feel they're going to tread the Tories path for the reason Lord Watts (Lab) suggests:

"My Lords, is it the case that many government departments use consultations as a reason not to do something? Is it not about time that we put timescales on these things and make sure that departments act on behalf of the public?"

Maybe we need to divert our efforts elsewhere. Ask the Lords what needs to be done to see a definite timescale provided on the close of a consultation or we may find ourselves still responding to MHCLG consultations on private parking CoP over the next 5 or so years!!

https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2025-02-04/debates/BF0158B6-19BE-4440-A03F-AC1AD7B8FEA8/CarParkingCompanies

https://www.parliament.uk/business/lords/whos-in-the-house-of-lords/get-in-touch-with-members/

Protest

I does look like RAC, AA, Which, CAB are quite passive on the CoP question, suggesting they don't see a return for their efforts.

And Govt may be more concerned at the cost of regulation rather than its benefits.

Only House of Commons can hold the Minister to account and too many members are so new they don't know how to make this work even if they understood the need.

Nellymoser

So what is it the members need to do to make this work

Coupon-mad

Protest said:

I does look like RAC, AA,

are quite passive on the CoP question, suggesting they don't see a return for their efforts.

Really?    

Protest

Nellymoser said:

So what is it the members need to do to make this work

Write to the boss of their organisation (possibly copied also to their local MP)

RAC - quote https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motoring-news/drivers-frustrated-government-backed-private-parking-code-of-practice/   (Dec 24) and ask for an update on RAC progress in support of its members;

AA - as above but quote https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/news/24416784.aa-rac-warning-new-private-parking-code-conduct/

WHICH - they have reported at https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/new-private-parking-code-of-practice-comes-into-force-amEPQ4x3t1ek    but the article is neutral about the BPA/IPC code and the ongoing failure of Govt to deliver a statutory Code. So members might ask what the WHICH position is with respect to the need for a statutory code and the repeated Govt parrot mantra about issuing a Code "in due course".**

CAB - hopefully someone knows of a more recent statement - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/don-t-park-the-parking-problem-say-citizens-advice-and-consumer-focus/    otherwise people might write and ask for an update!!

These organisations have a significant constituency that we might hope gives them some clout,  but "clout" may seriously understate the size and type of  impetus needed to dislodge  Mr Norris from the "in due course" perch** enjoyed also by most of his predecessors. Perhaps bisacodyl?  Apparently it usually results in movement within 15 to 60 minutes.

==============================================

** Question
Dave Robertson
Labour
Lichfield
Commons

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of regulation of the private car parking sector.

Answer
Alex Norris
Labour
Nottingham North and Kimberley
Commons
Answered on  7 February 2025

The government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is committed to working with both consumers and the two parking trade associations to raise standards and deliver better outcomes for motorists.

The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities.

We will announce our plans regarding the government code in due course.  [NOT AGAIN!!!]

[Note - Perhaps "working for consumers to regulate the industry"   would be better; also the Code will contain statutory regulations, not just "guidance" ]

Nellymoser

Seen this one @Protest

https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/63049/independent-parking-r@Protest

Umkomaas

Nellymoser said:

Seen this one @Protest

https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/63049/independent-parking-r@Protest

Surprisingly only 2 Labour MPs, none from the Conservative Party. Not many of the signatories can be regarded as 'heavyweight' politicians. Still, the rumble in the hills continues.

Nellymoser

I don’t think that matters over the years the 'Heavyweight' politicians have had little impact on moving this forward. 

BikingBud

Nellymoser said:

I don’t think that matters over the years the 'Heavyweight' politicians have had little impact on moving this forward. 

So we should ensure the lightweight majority in their numbers have the energy and backing to change this.