Forum Topic

Ealing Council Breaking the law

BBC London News Monday 23rd September 18:43, shows Ealing Council setting its parking enforcement officers targets for issueing parking tickets. Parking officers admit to bending rules in order to meet targets.This is illegal!

Mark Josh ● 4572d6 Comments

And it is Councillors or party policy that changed the ethos of parking as a resident driven service to a cash cow and then hid behind rhetoric.So slimy lawyers and inept officers yes but ultimately obeying orders of party politics which is why this dinosaur method of local politics is so damaging.

Oliver Gregan ● 4571d

Unfortunately parking is viewed as a revenue by the Council. This is causing great difficulties to independent shops on the High street, and forcing customers to supermarkets, with free parking and shopping malls. 

Lisa Barbaric ● 4571d

I wouldn't, much as I would like, blame Councillors Oliver.More likely the lawyers, employed at great expense, who carefully worded the contract to keep within the letter, if not the spirit of the guidance.Then again, they were probably briefed by council staff who, in turn were requested/briefed by councillors to maximise revenues.Dammit, blame the councillors!!

Nigel Brooks ● 4572d

The Hiking of charges is also very dubvious and the nonsense and riddles that a Cllr Mahfouz has spouted about subsidising others is a load of misleading tosh.When one thinks about it I don't know what's worse, a Councillor who says what he thinks even if distasteful or a Councillor who uses nuances of the english language to effectively con us and get away with it.I think deception, bending of truth and using words to fog the issue is probably worse than calling a spade a spade.

Oliver Gregan ● 4572d

Hi Mark , It is encouraging to read your post that confirms there are individuals like yourself ,Nigel,and many others who are keen watchdogs in our Community. I do not think there is  proof enough for this to be argued further.Nigel's point though, protects the Council to some extent but if it is seen as A CLEAR intent to flout the Law ,then I wonder if this matter should be ignored.?

Os A Whittle ● 4572d

The contract was very carefully worded not to include the word 'target'. Therefore not illegal but VERY close to being so.

Nigel Brooks ● 4572d