Council launches consultation on re-banding of parking penalty charge notices
Monday 17 April 2023: Hillingdon residents, businesses, community groups and partners are being asked to provide their views on proposals to change the borough's parking fine charges.
In recent years, Hillingdon Council has seen a considerable rise (29 per cent between 2018/19 and 2021/22) in the number of tickets issued for parking contraventions in comparison to the London average of 21 per cent during the same period.
Within the capital there are currently two levels for charging for parking fines. Band A is the higher level and Band B the lower level. Hillingdon currently uses Band B which was last reviewed in 2011 and hasn't changed in more than 10 years.
By increasing the penalty amount from Band B to Band A, which is used by 25 of the 32 London Councils and City of London, the council believes that more people will be deterred from not complying with parking restrictions and that it will reduce the number of fines issued annually.
In practice, currently anyone issued a higher rate parking fine (for more serious contraventions) gets charged £110, or a reduced charge of £55 if paid within 14 days. A lower rate fine is charged at £60, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.
Band A charges are £130 for higher fines and £80 for lower fines, both of which are reduced by 50 per cent if paid within 14 days.
Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Residents' Services, said: "Our proposals to move to Band A charging form part of the council's commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour and taking enforcement action to protect residents.
"The plans seek to address a rise in illegal and anti-social parking in the borough. With penalty charge notices last amended more than 10 years ago their deterrent effect has substantially reduced since then as a result of inflation, and in some instances motorists even factor this cost into their journey.
"We want to ensure and maintain a high level of compliance with parking restrictions, reduce congestion and keep traffic flowing, and I encourage residents to have their say in this survey."
Following the consultation, feedback will be presented to the council's Cabinet which will make a decision whether to apply to the Secretary of State to change the band for the borough. Any application to the Secretary of State is also subject to the prior approval of London Councils and the Mayor of London. If an application is progressed and successful, it is unlikely that any change would take effect before 2024/25.
To have your say, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/pcn-consultation