Parking Code of Practice Consultation 2025 - now let's see what happens

Nellymoser

Your right Umkomaas it wouldn't matter who got the job. The appointment clearly comes with a list of responses for the newly appointed MP to churn out.

Thorndorise

Worryingly it seems that they are testing the impact of bringing in the code rather than this being a cut and dry deal...

Quote from Fahnbulleh

The private parking industry is currently self-regulating and whilst the Secretary of State has not had discussions with the Justice Secretary on this issue, my officials have had meetings with their counterparts at the Ministry of Justice and are working together to develop a Justice Impact Test to assess the impact of introducing the Code and the Certification Scheme on the justice system.

Umkomaas

Thorndorise said:

Worryingly it seems that they are testing the impact of bringing in the code rather than this being a cut and dry deal...

Quote from Fahnbulleh

The private parking industry is currently self-regulating and whilst the Secretary of State has not had discussions with the Justice Secretary on this issue, my officials have had meetings with their counterparts at the Ministry of Justice and are working together to develop a Justice Impact Test to assess the impact of introducing the Code and the Certification Scheme on the justice system.

I read that as testing the impact of a 'cut and dried deal' CoP on the Justice system in regard to the number of court claims being made. 

Coupon-mad

I think a 'Justice Test' is a standard part of policy change. Tick boxes, probably.

daveyjp

Umkomaas said:

Thorndorise said:

Worryingly it seems that they are testing the impact of bringing in the code rather than this being a cut and dry deal...

Quote from Fahnbulleh

The private parking industry is currently self-regulating and whilst the Secretary of State has not had discussions with the Justice Secretary on this issue, my officials have had meetings with their counterparts at the Ministry of Justice and are working together to develop a Justice Impact Test to assess the impact of introducing the Code and the Certification Scheme on the justice system.

I read that as testing the impact of a 'cut and dried deal' CoP on the Justice system in regard to the number of court claims being made. 

Justice Test is to ensure the consultation has been carried out correctly to try and avoid another JR threat.

Coupon-mad

Looks like the RAC Foundation has put out a very timely press release:

UK drivers have been hit by a 24% annual spike in the number of parking tickets issued by private companies, new figures show.

A record average of nearly 48000 per DAY. We are now at over 17.5 MILLION DVLA requests per year.

When you add the 10% windscreen PCNs that's NINETEEN MILLION PCNs per annum.

https://www.thetottenhamindependent.co.uk/news/national/25470629.drivers-hit-24-annual-hike-parking-tickets-private-firms/

I told the government about this increase this year. Told them about the sudden increase in covert CCTV on buildings catching cars in one minute flat.

IMHO, it's mainly down to the Joint Code allowing zero consideration periods.

That's what has caused this hike this year.

Shame on the BPA and IPC and shame on the MHCLG for rejecting an option to tackle this industry properly, with a regulator like the CMA or FCA.

Wakey, wakey MHCLG. I told you so.

I'll also post this in the News & Media thread. 

Coupon-mad

Which? response to the Public Consultation - download the full response here:

https://www.which.co.uk/policy-and-insight/article/private-parking-code-of-practice-which-response-aMnXo1g7Dr2F

Summary 

"Which? frequently hears from people who have been treated unfairly by private parking operators and who also suffer a great deal of distress trying to seek redress when they are treated unfairly.

It is clear that the current industry code of practice does not go far enough and Which? supports a stronger government code of practice.

This includes capping parking charges at £50, removing the entitlement for debt recovery fees to automatically be collected, improving the clarity and prominence of signage and the establishment of an independent, single appeal body to replace the two existing second stage appeals processes."

Protest

"MHCLG and Govt need some blocking strategy that avoids any potential capitulation."

Govt must require MHCLG to prepare to dominate all opposition to the will of Parliament wrt the 2019 legislation and the related CoP. Which depends on a Minister with her eye on the ball and the skill and grit to score against a well-organised ATA opposition. 

ATAs win by delay: "Hi Minister....are you sure....?"  - and DoT regard BPA as "parking industry experts".....

"Government teams with parking giants to ensure drivers can use preferred apps in all car parks

British Parking Association will develop and run the 'national parking platform', providing drivers with a more flexible parking experience."

grassmarket

Which? As usual it’s too little, too late. 

It’s all very well sending their own response, but Which? have done absolutely nothing to tell anyone else about it! This is a public Consultation - not an exclusive invite for self-appointed ‘consumer champions’ like them. Up to now (2 days to go) they’ve given zero publicity to the Consultation - magazine or online. Which? admits (as quoted above) that they regularly hear from consumers about the unfair treatment & distress caused to them by Operators. Yet they have done nothing to help all those people who contacted them, to make their own views & experiences known. 

The accompanying article from Which? is equally useless. It just tells you how to ‘appeal’ to the Operator & their ‘independent adjudicator’. They give no advice about how to deal with debt collector & quasi-legal threats, let alone LBCs. 

All they say is “If you go to court and lose, you’ll have to pay the fine and possibly court costs.”
https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/parking-fines-which-calls-for-tougher-rules-to-protect-motorists-aQajg9R1y8Kr

Nellymoser

Now the consultation is closed we await MHCLG report on the received responses.

A big thank you has to go to Coupon-mad for all the work and time she dedicated to this consultation not only on the forum but govt CoP steering group too. And to all the regulars and new posters for posting their views.

The HCLG Minister says this Govt 'inherited a dysfunctional private parking industry' going by this consultation I feel we may have inherited a dysfunctional Ministerial Dept with selective hearing.