Reading council has refunded drivers a total of £68,000 for wrongfully issuing driving fines.
Reading council has refunded drivers a total of £68,000 after wrongfully issuing driving fines. The refunds stem from parking penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued in error.
The mistake was uncovered by a council staff member along the East Reading red route, revealing that traffic regulation orders (TROs) had been incorrectly made. This prompted an investigation, leading to an official apology from council chief executive Jackie Yates last October, along with the approval of a refund scheme.
Efforts to close the repayment scheme are underway. A report by monitoring officer Michael Graham noted that the team is reaching out to individuals previously referred to enforcement agents for debt collection. Out of 147 cases, 63 have responded and received refunds.
The council is also tracing remaining individuals through credit reference agencies, successfully locating 69 and issuing restitution. However, some individuals have not responded or cannot be traced, resulting in closed investigations.
During a recent audit committee meeting, Mr Graham indicated that most actions from last year's plan have been completed and stated that the refund scheme is nearing completion. Surprisingly, the scheme has not cost as much as anticipated; the council allocated £360,000 for refunds, and only £68,000 has been paid out so far.
Cllr Clarence Mitchell raised the need for a public closure statement, to which Louise Duffield, executive director of resources, responded that they would consider issuing a press release depending on media coverage.
Currently, there is no announcement on the council's website regarding the closure, although the 'apply for a parking fine refund' page remains active. Councillors decided to stop monitoring the repayment scheme at this meeting.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
