Open Parking Complaints Policy

 

A complaint is where there is an issue with the organisation’s conformity against the Code of Practice. A complaint is not where there is a challenge against the validity of the parking charge.

Stage 1 – How to complain

  • Please call us on 01604 625 655 
  • Write to us at:  Open Parking, PO Box 1049, Northampton, NN4 4DZ 
  • Email us at:  info@Openparking.co.uk 

Stage 2 – Recording complaints

Complaints will be recorded in the internal Complaints register. The following information will be recorded:

  • date of complaint.
  • the complainant.
  • copy of all correspondence.
  • outcome.
  • details of corrective action required and undertaken to ensure the situation does not recur (where the complaint has merit).

 

The complaints register must maintain the last 36 months of complaints.

Stage 3 – Acknowledging complaints

Open Parking will send acknowledgment to the complainant within 14 days from receipt of the complaint. An acknowledgement is that the complaints has been received and is being investigated

Stage 4 – Investigating complaints

Investigations will be completed by trained complaints handlers. The complaints handlers will:

 

  • Review the complaint
  • Gather evidence to uphold or dismiss the complaint. Which may include:
    • Speak to member of staff involved (where applicable)
    • Speak to team leader (where applicable)
    • Review parking charge issued (where applicable)
  •  

  • Review against the Code of Practice to see if there has been a breach

Stage 5 – Where a complaint also purports to be an appeal

Where a complaint also includes information that purports to be an appeal, the appeals process should be enacted, and the complainant should be informed that the complaint is being treated as an appeal and therefore the appeals process is being followed.

 

If after further investigation it is clear that the complaint is not relevant to an appeal or the complainant informs the parking operator that they do not wish it to be handled as an appeal, then the process shall revert back to the complaints process.

Stage 6 – Concluding complaints

Complaints must be investigated and concluded within 28 days of receipt.

 

Responses should follow the way in which the complaint was initially lodged by the member of the public i.e. if the original complaint was submitted by post, the response should be send to the complainant through the post unless the complainant has specifically requested a response through another form of communication.

 

The outcome shall be recorded in the complaints log

 

When concluding a complaint, the response shall inform the complainant that if they are not happy with the way that the complaint has been concluded that they can refer the complaint to the IC and provide them with the details of how to do this.

Stage 7 – Exceptional circumstances

Where there are exceptional circumstances for not concluding the complaint within 28 days, communication must be had with the complainant to explain why the matter will not be concluded within the timeframe and when it will be. Communication must be sent to the complainant when the complaint is concluded.

Stage 8 – Corrective action

If the complaint is upheld, any corrective action shall be recorded in the complaints log. Corrective action may include:

  • Staff training
  • Staff disciplinary
  • Amending processes
  • Suspending enforcement on a site

Stage 9 – Reporting breaches of the Code of Practice

Where the investigation has identified issues that constitute a breach of the code of practice this will be reported to the IPC to investigate. The IPC will be provided with all the information gathered from the original complaint and subsequent investigation.

 

All material breaches of the code of practice shall be reported to the IPC within 3 working days of becoming aware of the breach. Serious breaches should be notified within 1 working day of becoming aware of it.

 

A material breach is a breach which is likely to result in risk to an individual, the organisation, the industry, or the IPC. A serious breach is a breach which is likely to result in sanction points under the sanction scheme.

 

Complaints from Members of Parliament

In addition to the requirements above. Where a complaint is received from an MP the operator must, upon resolution of the complaint, refer the MP to the MP portal on the IPC website.

 

The following statement must be included in any response to an MP:

 

"We are members of the International Parking Community (IPC) Accredited Operator Scheme (AOS). The IPC is a DVLA Accredited Trade Association (ATA) and has a Code of Practice and an Independent Appeals Service (IAS) that allows a Motorist access to an independent adjudication process on the lawfulness of Parking Charges issued by their members. An important condition of being an AOS member is that operators must adhere to The Code.

 

If you are not content with the response, we have provided you with, you can refer this to the IPC who will investigate and provide you with a response. To make this process as simple as possible the IPC has created a communication portal on their website https://theipc.info/login for you to use. They have created a username for all members of Parliament. Your username will be your email address. An email will have been sent with your login details. There is an option for you to reset your password if you are unable to login. If you have any issues, please contact the IPC via email on mp.enquiries@theipc.info ."

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Open Parking is the trading name of Imperial Civil Enforcement Solutions Ltd.
Company Registered in England and Wales no: 2023383 at 1 The Lakes Northampton, NN47HD