Work Related First Parking PCN Appealed via POPLA

[Trunkee]

I would much appreciate your advice please on this matter as it needs to be resolved.

I drove a Company vehicle as a key worker on business for a London Borough Council when I was on shift & I was requested to conduct an emergency visit to a vulnerable client. A PCN from First Parking was issued 09.06.20 following an overstay of 5 minutes as I was on site for 20 minutes on 19.05.20. The overstay was due to poor signage of the apartment block. Plus parking was restricted as the location is on a busy dual carriageway ring road with double red lines on the road between Stockwell & Vauxhall. This was 1st appealed 16.07.20.

There was a delay receiving the PCN as the lease Company is the registered keeper. The lease Company had to forward the PCN to the Council & the Council had to track which department that the vehicle was issued to. In turn the department had to track down the driver of the vehicle as it is used by several staff members. The receipt date was 24.06.20. but it is unclear if this date was stamped by the vehicle lease Company or the Council & sent by email from one of the Council offices.

POPLA returned an unsuccessful response to the Appeal on 02.11.20. Could I dispute this with the Ombudsman to pay the discounted cost as it was not my fault that there was a delay in receiving a PCN? POPLA have stated that the discounted rate is not applicable as the 14 day period had elapsed. The actual reason for the delay is a result of the COVID-19 pandemic & staff working from home between the Council & lease Company. POPLA did not provide an unsuccessful response to the Appeal until 02.11.20.

Thank you.

[ostell]

So what was the appeal to the parking company?

[Trunkee]

As mentioned in my previous thread there was a delay in receiving the PCN. I only attended for business reasons as a first line staff member to an emergency alarm unit of a vulnerable client for safeguarding. There was no other alternative parking on site or within the area of a busy one way system ring road. I understand from the appeal process that First Parking give you 15 minutes grace for parking as it is meant for pick ups & drop offs. The Council will not accept responsibility but there was no other reason for me to attend this location other than to meet the needs of the business. This is why I feel this isn't fair on my part to pay it the fine & the incremented charge due to changes to working dynamics, office staff working from home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to pay the fine within the 14 day period reduced rate. I had attempted to pay on line today but their payment page wasn't working & now their webpage appears to be conflicted.