How much is each Visitor Voucher? £4? £4.80? Even the Council don't seem to know!

The numerically challenged folk at Barnet Council mess up again!

You may remember that back in March Barnet Council wasted taxpayers' money advertising incorrect parking permit charges in the local press. To comply with the law, they had to re-advertise using the correct charges after we pointed out their mistake. This resulted in the introduction of the new charges being delayed by a month, giving hundreds of people the chance to renew their permits at the old rates.

Now we learn that Barnet Council is informing residents who try to buy visitor vouchers online that they cost £48 for 10 vouchers (Current application form is on this webpage). So that's £4.80 each. The law is crystal clear that Barnet can only charge £4 per voucher because this is the price stated in the statutory Notice that brought in the increase.  

Is this just another example of Council incompetence and only a mistake on the form? Or has the Council actually charged anyone £4.80 for a voucher of £48 for 10? If so, its a very serious matter as this would be unlawful. If  you have been charged this, please let us know.

Now Barnet, repeat after me: One times four is four; two times four is.....

UPDATE

A resident has just forwarded the following email exchange with the Council. Unbelievably, the Council are not able to say how much residents are being charged for parking vouchers!

From: <CUSTOMER.SERVICES@BARNET.GOV.UK>

Date: 23 September 2011 11:20:37 GMT+01:00

To: <>

Subject: RE: FW: Parking Costs

Dear XXXXX

Thank you for your email dated 20/09/2011 passed to this team for a response. We write to inform you that due to the nature of the investigation that is being undertaken, it is not possible to provide a full response at this time.

We anticipate completing the investigation and issuing a full response within 5 to 10 working days, however, if this is not possible, we will keep you informed of the progress of the investigation.

We would like to thank you for your patience whilst we attempt to resolve this matter.

We hope this letter has been of some assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

Parking Quality and Customer Service

London Borough of Barnet Council

Planning, Environment & Regeneration

North London Business Park, Oakleigh Road South London N11 1NP

Original Text

From:	Parking@barnet.gov.uk
To:	First.Contact@barnet.gov.uk
CC:
Sent:	20.09.11 14:51:46
Subject:	FW: Parking Costs

-----Original Message-----
From: XXXX
Sent: 19 September 2011 20:26
To: Parking
Subject: Parking Costs

Where can I find correct information about residents parking permit
increased costs that came into effect this year. I do not have any
correspondence from the council, nor have I seen any official paperwork
on this matter.

I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.


XXXXXXX