Barnet - new system hurdle

 

On 1st November the parking enforcement contractor changed from NSL to APCOA. The first problem has already arisen as per the screen above. Mr Mustard is looking at a complete Notice to Owner dated 22 October 2025. Last week he could have challenged it using the on line portal as a web code was not demanded and hasn't been needed since at least 2009. He has seen it in use in other boroughs, such as Newham.

Now, either web codes will be printed on all future Notices to Owner (and postal PCNs) or there has been an error in setting up the APCOA parking portal as no-one told the programmer that web codes wouldn't be used in the future, or, if web codes will exist, no-one thought to have a transitional system to allow for Notices to Owner served in the last 28 days.

You have two other methods for making your formal representations ('formal' just means they are the ones allowed by law in response to a Notice to Owner or PCN received in the post).

The first is good old post to Barnet Parking Services, PO Box 333, Sheffield S98 1BJ (this address may change on documents posted to you on or after 1 November). Mr Mustard recommends you use the signed for service so that you have proof of delivery.

The second method is by email to barnet@nsl.co.uk but again that email address is likely to change for PCNs issued on or after 1 November 2025. It won't be long before Mr Mustard is looking at one as he gets new requests for help nearly every day.

Mr Mustard checked the 'view evidence' internet address on the NSL issued Notice to Owner: 

Mr Mustard found himself re-routed to the Pay a PCN page which is a rather large nudge as to what the council would like you to do:

Sharp eyed readers will have noticed you don't need a web code in order to pay a PCN, so a hurdle present in the challenge system is refused if you want to pay. Not even handed at Barnet Council who even if they blame APCOA should still oversee them properly.

Mr Mustard will inform a manager of this teething problem.

The end.

 

Barnet Council - lawbreakers

If you miss a deadline Barnet Council will routinely increase your penalty by 50% from £130 to £195. It is programmed into the software.

If the council miss a deadline, one which has deemed them to be due no money at all (and this only applies to parking PCNs) they will calmly carry on as if nothing has happened and break the law with impunity as there is no mechanism to penalise them for their wrongdoing. The whole story is contained within Mr Mustard's skeleton argument, a document filed 10 days before the tribunal hearing.

Probably worried about the damning conclusion that an Adjudicator was likely to reach the council responded to the skeleton by throwing in their hand and cancelling the PCN, thus their wrongdoing did not see the light of day, until now.

The public only ever get 28 days at most to respond to PCN paperwork, councils get 56 in this instance, you would think that even the most incompetent council could manage to meet such a generous deadline.

 

What should happen, of course, is that the same software should be programmed so that a PCN on which a formal representation has been made and not answered for 56 days is automatically set to zero. Most of the public will miss this rule and adjudicators won't apply it unless the affected motorist raises the argument or the adjudicator happens to notice the long delay and is inclined to make a decision of his/her own volition in the interests of justice.

PCNs are a lifelong learning process.

The end.

Spot the difference in Brent

Here you go, the informal challenge made in response to the PCN on the left, the challenge was rejected.

The formal representations, on the right, were accepted.

This should not happen, if councils are going to cancel a PCN they should do it at the earliest opportunity. Anyone would think they were hoping to wear the motorist down so they give in and pay up.

Mr Mustard does not give up? Councils seem a bit slow to learn that lesson.

Yours frugally

Mr Mustard