On 4 June Mr Mustard lost a tribunal appeal which related to Redbridge Council. He advised his client to pay the £110 within the 28 days allowed, which was done. The motorist also very generously made a donation to the North London Hospice.
On 9 June Mr Mustard filed a Review request at the tribunal. The Chief Adjudicator considered it and listed it for a Review hearing on 2 July. At the Review hearing the original decision was over-turned and Redbridge Council were ordered to make a refund of the £110 'without delay'.
Mr Mustard thinks that allowing 28 days is reasonable for any refund, that being the same timetable as the public gets to pay up in.
On 30 July the motorist chased Redbridge for his refund. Silence ensued, a refund didn't arrive.
He kept on chasing to no avail and then asked Mr Mustard for his advice.
Mr Mustard gave him the direct email of a manager who he had previously dealt with. That was on 17 September. A reply wasn't received but a refund was.
Perhaps the apology is 'in the post'.
Councils should put as much effort into a refund as motorists have to do into paying them promptly. If the boot had been on the other foot the council could have increased the penalty to £165. There will be no compensation for the delay by the council.
Councils should also have good manners. They would be better regarded if they did.
I have had a case where a Council lost a removal case and was instructed to repay the fees “forthwith” but took a couple of months to do so.
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