Nottingham Resident Parking Permits Only For Those Who Pay Council Tax

[lw345]

I rent a house in Nottingham (covered by Nottingham City Council) and have applied for a free two-year parking permit (with visitor permit), which is available to all residents. However, since I am exempt from council tax due to being a full-time student I am not able to send them a council tax bill and, thus, cannot receive a Parking Permit. Instead, I have been told to apply for a special 'student' permit. This lasts for one year, rather than two, and costs £70 for the permit and £70 for the visitors permit.

Does anyone know if there's any way to challenge the fact that I am not being treated the same as any other resident on the basis of my occupation?

I'd appreciate any help/advice at all. Thanks!

Luke

Parking Permit Details: http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/art...-Permit-Scheme
Parking Permit Form (with requirement to include council tax bill): http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/art...Parking-Permit

[paulajayne]

Re: Nottingham Resident Parking Permits Only For Those Who Pay Council Tax

Do you not have your council tax assessment? Will this not do to prove you reside there.

[Kati]

Re: Nottingham Resident Parking Permits Only For Those Who Pay Council Tax

Maybe all the students who need parking permits need to put in complaints? Get the newspapers involved, use social media etc...

[lw345]

Re: Nottingham Resident Parking Permits Only For Those Who Pay Council Tax

Do you not have your council tax assessment? Will this not do to prove you reside there.

I sent them my council tax exemption and they have refused to accept this. They say that because I do not pay council tax I am not allowed to claim a normal permit, and thus must pay £70 for one that lasts only a year. (rather than the usual free permit for two years)

Is it legal to refuse me certain council services since I am exempt from council tax?

Maybe all the students who need parking permits need to put in complaints? Get the newspapers involved, use social media etc...

It was a populist move by the council in an area where local residents dislike students for a variety of reasons, all these things have been sadly ignored.

[lw345]

Re: Nottingham Resident Parking Permits Only For Those Who Pay Council Tax

Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

[Kati]

Re: Nottingham Resident Parking Permits Only For Those Who Pay Council Tax

I sent them my council tax exemption and they have refused to accept this. They say that because I do not pay council tax I am not allowed to claim a normal permit, and thus must pay £70 for one that lasts only a year. (rather than the usual free permit for two years)

Is it legal to refuse me certain council services since I am exempt from council tax?

Are people on Council Tax Benefits (the unemployed etc...) allowed these parking permits?
Have you asked your local MP if they will intervene?

[stevemLS]

Re: Nottingham Resident Parking Permits Only For Those Who Pay Council Tax

I don't think there is anything unlawful about what they have done.

You might not like it but whether or not you are a council tax payer is not a protected characteristic and so discrimination on that basis is not unlawful.

If it were, there are all sorts of things which are available only to eligible groups, free school meals, for example, illegal to discriminate on the basis of income - no.

Another thought is that there are all sorts of ways in which students are subject to positive discrimination, free entry to attractions, discounts in shops etc - are you suggesting they are unlawful.

[lw345]

Re: Nottingham Resident Parking Permits Only For Those Who Pay Council Tax

Are people on Council Tax Benefits (the unemployed etc...) allowed these parking permits?
Have you asked your local MP if they will intervene?

I have enquired and they say it's to do with student status, not not paying council tax. (however proof I'm a student is that I can't give them a council tax certificate)

It seems odd to discriminate on parking on the basis of a resident's occupation.

I don't think there is anything unlawful about what they have done.

You might not like it but whether or not you are a council tax payer is not a protected characteristic and so discrimination on that basis is not unlawful.

If it were, there are all sorts of things which are available only to eligible groups, free school meals, for example, illegal to discriminate on the basis of income - no.

Another thought is that there are all sorts of ways in which students are subject to positive discrimination, free entry to attractions, discounts in shops etc - are you suggesting they are unlawful.

Usually when the council discriminates on income, it does so to help those on a lower income. Similarly with concessions people on lower income are given reductions to account for that. This isn't a small concession for residents, this is £70 vs £0, and the concession is for those on higher incomes.

[stevemLS]

Re: Nottingham Resident Parking Permits Only For Those Who Pay Council Tax

Usually when the council discriminates on income, it does so to help those on a lower income. Similarly with concessions people on lower income are given reductions to account for that. This isn't a small concession for residents, this is £70 vs £0, and the concession is for those on higher incomes.

I was simply giving other examples of where discrimination takes place as well as illustrating that student status can confer advantages.

[MissFM]

Re: Nottingham Resident Parking Permits Only For Those Who Pay Council Tax

Hmmm.

They make it quite clear what their policy is - I would imagine that, students being by nature transient residents who are subsidised on many other fronts (including public transport), the council would have debated this charge & consider it fair to all.

Student Permits

Student Permits are available to tenants residing at a property within a scheme area whilst they are studying. Some properties where previous single dwellings have been converted into flats may not be eligible due to planning restrictions.
The maximum allocation of student permits per household is 3 and this is made up of any combination of residents or visitors permits. Student residential/visitor permits are valid for 1 academic year (i.e. 1 August to 31 July) and are subject to a charge of £70.00 per permit. This permit does not cover caravans or trailers, which cannot be left parked in a residential bay.
Vehicle specific Student Permits require:

• Proof of address (tenancy agreement, utility bill or drivers license) please note that a mobile phone bill will not be accepted as proof of address
• A copy of the Motor Insurance Certificate (not required for visitor permits)
• Residents living in a flat (i.e. a house converted into separate properties) will also be required to provide a water rates bill

To be curmudgeonly, in our day students couldn't afford cars :behindsofa:

Times do change - and it seems all councils have to find ways to reduce - or at least mitigate - motor traffic and congestion.

You need to take it up with your local councillor, or the leader of the council, as you are seeking to change their overall policy, unless there is a reason why an exception should be made in your particular case x