Councillors in parking ticket row
East Anglian Daily Times 24
Roddy Ashworth
THE leader of a district council has branded one of its members “completely irresponsible” after he urged people to rip up their parking tickets claiming they did not meet legal requirements.
Conservative leader of Tendring District Council Terry Allen made his comments after fellow Tory Charlie Sambridge said that tickets being issued by the authority had been issued without key information being displayed on them.
Mr Sambridge said that because the council had failed to put not only the date of offence but also the date of notification on the main body of the penalty charge notices they were unenforceable.
“If they have only got one date on them then people should tear them up,” he said.
“Up until now they have only had one date on them, and that means that under the terms of the 1991 Road Parking Act they are not valid.”
He added that he had learned of the loophole after looking at an Internet web page dedicated to the Metric Martyrs, a group taken to court for selling goods in Imperial measures.
He contacted Nick Herron, of the People Say No Campaign, who examined a Tendring District Council parking ticket and said it was not enforceable.
Mr Sambridge added that his crusade was aimed at highlighting the disposal of parking facilities by the council.
“This council is selling off anything it can get its hands on. They are selling off open spaces and car parks on the front and spending the money on leisure.
“People who are ill or have had strokes need those car parks so they can get to the green areas next to them.
“This council used to be for the good of all - now we are only catering for people who pump iron and swim.”
Mr Allen, however, did not hold back from strongly criticising his fellow Conservative councillor and claimed he was encouraging people to act illegally.
“I find it completely irresponsible that any member of Tendring District Council would make comments like that asking people top break the law.
“We should remember that the only losers in this will be the people of Tendring because that money goes a long way towards keeping the level of council tax down.
“Parking enforcement has been instrumental in keeping the roads clear and safe
.“People who have broken the law by parking in restricted zones should pay the penalty. It is a fact of life.
“As an elected member of Tendring District Council you are supposed to be there for the people of Tendring. We issue the tickets on their behalf.”
A spokesman for Tendring District Council said that its penalty charge notices had been changed in the light of a recent court case and that both a date of contravention and a date of issue are now featured.
Roddy Ashworth
THE leader of a district council has branded one of its members “completely irresponsible” after he urged people to rip up their parking tickets claiming they did not meet legal requirements.
Conservative leader of Tendring District Council Terry Allen made his comments after fellow Tory Charlie Sambridge said that tickets being issued by the authority had been issued without key information being displayed on them.
Mr Sambridge said that because the council had failed to put not only the date of offence but also the date of notification on the main body of the penalty charge notices they were unenforceable.
“If they have only got one date on them then people should tear them up,” he said.
“Up until now they have only had one date on them, and that means that under the terms of the 1991 Road Parking Act they are not valid.”
He added that he had learned of the loophole after looking at an Internet web page dedicated to the Metric Martyrs, a group taken to court for selling goods in Imperial measures.
He contacted Nick Herron, of the People Say No Campaign, who examined a Tendring District Council parking ticket and said it was not enforceable.
Mr Sambridge added that his crusade was aimed at highlighting the disposal of parking facilities by the council.
“This council is selling off anything it can get its hands on. They are selling off open spaces and car parks on the front and spending the money on leisure.
“People who are ill or have had strokes need those car parks so they can get to the green areas next to them.
“This council used to be for the good of all - now we are only catering for people who pump iron and swim.”
Mr Allen, however, did not hold back from strongly criticising his fellow Conservative councillor and claimed he was encouraging people to act illegally.
“I find it completely irresponsible that any member of Tendring District Council would make comments like that asking people top break the law.
“We should remember that the only losers in this will be the people of Tendring because that money goes a long way towards keeping the level of council tax down.
“Parking enforcement has been instrumental in keeping the roads clear and safe
.“People who have broken the law by parking in restricted zones should pay the penalty. It is a fact of life.
“As an elected member of Tendring District Council you are supposed to be there for the people of Tendring. We issue the tickets on their behalf.”
A spokesman for Tendring District Council said that its penalty charge notices had been changed in the light of a recent court case and that both a date of contravention and a date of issue are now featured.
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