North Hertfordshire is operating at a deficit in its parking services, with a surplus of £-176,000 as reported in the DLUHC Revenue Outturn 2024-25. This means that the council spends more on providing parking services than it collects from fees and fines, placing it at rank 268 out of 282 councils nationwide.
on 15 April 2026
How Much Does North Hertfordshire Make from Parking?
North Hertfordshire's total income from parking is £2.9 million, a figure that includes both on-street and off-street parking revenues. The breakdown shows that on-street parking contributes £668,000 to this total, while off-street parking brings in a significant £2.3 million. the council collects £473,000 from penalty charge notices (PCNs), which represents approximately 16% of its overall parking income.
The disparity between on- and off-street revenues highlights the reliance on commercial car parks and private facilities for a substantial portion of the council's revenue. However, this doesn't compensate for the operational costs incurred by the council's parking services.
According to the DLUHC Revenue Outturn 2024-25, north hertfordshire generated a parking surplus of £-176,000 in 2024-25
How Does North Hertfordshire Compare to Other Councils?
North Hertfordshire ranks 268 out of 282 councils in terms of surplus generated from parking operations. The national total surplus stands at £1,144.5 million, indicating a significant discrepancy between North Hertfordshire's performance and the average for other UK councils.
Some top-performing councils generate ten times or more than the national average in parking surpluses, suggesting that North Hertfordshire faces unique challenges compared to these successful entities. These disparities can be attributed to various factors such as local economic conditions, population density, and specific management strategies employed by each council.
What Are Your Rights When You Get a Parking Fine in North Hertfordshire?
When you receive a penalty charge notice (PCN) from the North Hertfordshire Council or a private parking operator, you should understand your rights. A PCN issued directly by the council follows different rules compared to one issued by a private company.
For council-issued PCNs:
- You have a 14-day period during which you can pay half the fine and avoid full penalties.
- If you wish to challenge the charge formally, you must do so within this timeframe or risk losing the discount.
- After formal representation, if your case isn't resolved internally, you can appeal through the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.
For PCNs issued by private companies:
- Your appeals process is managed either through POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals) or IAS (Independent Adjudicator for Parking Services), depending on which trade body oversees the operator.
- The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 mandates that only registered vehicles and not individual drivers are liable for parking fines, unless the keeper has been notified within a specific period.
How to Appeal a Parking Fine in North Hertfordshire
To challenge a PCN effectively, follow these steps:
Within 28 days (or immediately if it's from the council), submit an informal challenge. If you do this for a council-issued fine within 14 days, you can take advantage of the 50% discount period.
If your initial challenge is unsuccessful, request formal representation after receiving a Notice to Owner. This ensures that all relevant information and evidence are presented before proceeding further.
Step 3: Independent Appeal
For council-issued fines, you can appeal through the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. For private operators, depending on their affiliation, submit your case either to POPLA or IAS for an independent review.
You don't need a claims management company to handle this process; it's entirely free to pursue appeals directly with the relevant bodies. This ensures that all costs and complexities are managed without additional fees.
By understanding these steps and exercising your rights, you can effectively challenge parking fines in North Hertfordshire and potentially avoid unnecessary financial burdens.
Sources
- DLUHC Revenue Outturn 2024-25
- Traffic Penalty Tribunal
- Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
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