Sandwell runs a modest parking surplus of £776,000 in the fiscal year 2024-25, ranking it 164 out of 282 councils. This surplus is derived primarily from on-street and off-street parking revenues, with no penalty charge notice (PCN) income reported.
on 14 April 2026
How Much Does Sandwell Make from Parking?
Sandwell's total parking income for the fiscal year 2024-25 stands at £2.6 million, generated through a combination of on-street (£1.1 million) and off-street (£1.5 million) operations. Sandwell reports no PCN (penalty charge notice) income, which represents 0% of its total parking revenue according to DLUHC Revenue Outturn 2024-25 data.
The breakdown highlights that on-street parking contributes significantly more than off-street parking in terms of direct user fees and charges. This suggests a reliance on regular parking usage rather than enforcement-driven income, which is common for many councils but not the case for Sandwell.
According to the DLUHC Revenue Outturn 2024-25, sandwell generated a parking surplus of £776,000 in 2024-25
How Does Sandwell Compare to Other Councils?
Sandwell ranks 164 out of 282 councils by parking surplus according to DLUHC Revenue Outturn 2024-25. To provide context, top-performing councils generate over £1 million in annual surpluses, which is more than ten times the average surplus reported across all local authorities.
National figures indicate that while some councils rely heavily on PCNs for income, Sandwell doesn't report any such revenue, reflecting a different approach to parking management and enforcement. This highlights the diversity of strategies employed by UK councils to manage their municipal parking operations.
What Are Your Rights When You Get a Parking Fine in Sandwell?
If you receive a penalty charge notice (PCN) in Sandwell, it's important to distinguish between council-issued PCNs and those from private operators. Council-issued PCNs are governed by specific procedures under the Traffic Management Act 2004, whereas private operator PCNs follow different frameworks based on their trade body.
For council PCNs issued in Sandwell:
- Informal Challenge: You can challenge informally within 28 days of receipt to potentially qualify for a 50% discount if your response is received within 14 days.
- Formal Representation: Following the Notice to Owner, you may submit formal representation against the penalty charge.
- Independent Appeal: If unsuccessful, you can appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.
For private operator PCNs:
- You must first contact the issuing company and follow their procedures for challenge or dispute.
- Depending on whether they belong to ParkingEye or another trade body, your final recourse is either POPLA (Parking On Private Land Appeals) or IAS (Independent Appeals Service).
The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 specifies that the registered keeper of a vehicle is liable for any penalty charge notices issued. This means that even if you weren't driving the car at the time, as the registered keeper you're responsible unless you can prove otherwise.
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 Sandwell
The process for appealing a parking fine starts with an informal challenge within 28 days of receiving the notice (or 14 days to maintain the discount period if it's a council PCN). Following this, formal representation against the Notice to Owner is your next step. If these initial stages fail to resolve the issue, you can proceed to an independent appeal:
- For council PCNs: Traffic Penalty Tribunal
- For private operator PCNs: POPLA or IAS
You're advised not to use a claims management company and instead handle appeals directly through established channels. The entire process is free of charge, allowing you to pursue your rights without incurring additional costs.
By understanding these processes and exercising your rights properly, Sandwell residents can effectively challenge unfair parking fines and ensure fair treatment under the law.
According to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, private parking charges are contractual invoices, not criminal fines, under schedule 4 of the act
Sources
- DLUHC Revenue Outturn 2024-25
- Traffic Penalty Tribunal
- Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
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