North Somerset UA generates a notable parking surplus of £1.4 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year, ranking it 130 out of 282 councils nationwide according to DLUHC Revenue Outturn 2024-25 data. The majority of this income comes from off-street parking at £3.1 million, with on-street parking contributing £1.5 million. Interestingly, the council doesn't generate any PCN (penalty charge notice) income.
on 14 April 2026
How Much Does North Somerset UA Make from Parking?
North Somerset UA has a parking surplus of £1.4 million in 2024-25, placing it at rank 130 out of 282 councils across the UK for parking surpluses. The council's total parking income is split between on-street and off-street parking: on-street parking brings in £1.5 million while off-street parking generates a substantial £3.1 million, indicating that off-street facilities are a major revenue generator for North Somerset UA.
The lack of PCN income (£0) suggests that the council doesn't heavily rely on penalty charge notices to fund its parking operations. Instead, it seems that other forms of revenue generation, such as permits and parking fees, contribute significantly to the overall surplus. This figure represents around 12% of the national total parking surplus of £1,144.5 million.
According to the DLUHC Revenue Outturn 2024-25, north somerset ua generated a parking surplus of £1.4 million in 2024-25
How Does North Somerset UA Compare to Other Councils?
North Somerset UA is ranked 130 out of 282 councils in terms of parking surplus, according to DLUHC Revenue Outturn 2024-25 data. This places it well within the middle range of all councils; however, top-performing councils generate surpluses that are ten times or more than North Somerset UA's £1.4 million.
The national context indicates significant variation in parking surplus generation among different local authorities. While some councils have high revenues from parking fines and permits, others like North Somerset UA rely more on other sources of income to maintain their operations.
What Are Your Rights When You Get a Parking Fine in North Somerset UA?
When you receive a penalty charge notice (PCN) in North Somerset UA, it's important to understand the difference between council PCNs and private parking charges. Council PCNs are issued by local authorities and have specific rules for appeal, whereas private parking charges come from off-street car parks operated by private companies.
For council PCNs, you can take advantage of a 14-day period where you can pay half the fine to avoid full payment or contest it entirely. If you choose not to pay within this period, your case will be escalated for formal representation after receiving a Notice to Owner. After that, independent appeal options include the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.
Private parking charges are handled differently based on whether the operator is affiliated with POPLA (Parking On Private Land Appeals) or IAS (Independent Appeals Service). These services handle appeals from private car park operators and provide guidance for challenging unfair fines.
The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 also ensures that vehicle keepers can't be pursued indefinitely for parking charges, limiting liability to a reasonable period post-parking event.
According to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, you can appeal a council parking fine for free through the traffic penalty tribunal
How to Appeal a Parking Fine in North Somerset UA
If you receive a penalty charge notice (PCN) from North Somerset UA or its private partners, the process involves several steps:
- Informal Challenge: Within 28 days of receiving the PCN, submit an informal challenge directly to the council or private operator. For council PCNs, doing so within 14 days allows you to maintain a discount on any potential fine.
- Formal Representation: After the Notice to Owner is issued following your initial challenge, prepare formal representation materials addressing why you believe the charge was unjustified.
According to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, private parking charges are contractual invoices, not criminal fines, under schedule 4 of the act
- Independent Appeal: Once all other avenues are exhausted, independent appeal options become available. For council PCNs, this means appealing through the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Private PCN appeals should be directed towards POPLA or IAS depending on the operator's affiliation.
You can also complain to your council directly for free without needing a claims management company. The process of challenging a parking fine is designed to be accessible and straightforward, ensuring that you don't need to pay for assistance when appealing.
Sources
- DLUHC Revenue Outturn 2024-25
- Traffic Penalty Tribunal
- Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
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