Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Markjay on 23 November 2007, 12:32:58

Title: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: Markjay on 23 November 2007, 12:32:58
I have a Residents Parking Permit from Westminster council.

Last year they launched a website allowing online renewals. Mine was rejected however due to a mismatch of my address. On closer examination, it seems that the bright spark who typed-in the details managed to insert and extra space in the post code.

No problem, I legged it to the local office and after queuing for a while paid over the counter. To a human eye it is obvious the post codes are identical, but not to a computer.

This year they have introduced a discount for paying online. But I still can’t pay online because of the post code mismatch.

This is very annoying, because when I tried to get it sorted during the year, I was told by Westminster Council that unfortunately the verification data is held with a ‘third party’ and they can’t disclose who this company is.... nor can I appeal against the fact that they have the wrong post code. Strange. Very strange.



Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: Elite Pete on 23 November 2007, 12:36:41
I dont have this problem, I have turned my front garden into my very own scrap yard ::)
Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: Jimbob on 23 November 2007, 12:39:07
Least they wont be able to cross verify with child benefit records  ;D
Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 23 November 2007, 13:34:49
stupid programmer use alphanumeric field definition and dont use the trim function for cut extra spaces like

'  abc123' must be 'abc123' and 'abc123  ' must be again 'abc123'.

in this case they will not be equal for comparison

or more than 1 space between words
Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: STMO123 on 23 November 2007, 14:27:34
Quote
I have a Residents Parking Permit from Westminster council.

Last year they launched a website allowing online renewals. Mine was rejected however due to a mismatch of my address. On closer examination, it seems that the bright spark who typed-in the details managed to insert and extra space in the post code.

No problem, I legged it to the local office and after queuing for a while paid over the counter. To a human eye it is obvious the post codes are identical, but not to a computer.

This year they have introduced a discount for paying online. But I still can’t pay online because of the post code mismatch.

This is very annoying, because when I tried to get it sorted during the year, I was told by Westminster Council that unfortunately the verification data is held with a ‘third party’ and they can’t disclose who this company is.... nor can I appeal against the fact that they have the wrong post code. Strange. Very strange.




You are entitled to see any data held about you. Mention this and they may relent.
Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: Crazydad on 23 November 2007, 14:50:45
Quote
Quote
I have a Residents Parking Permit from Westminster council.

Last year they launched a website allowing online renewals. Mine was rejected however due to a mismatch of my address. On closer examination, it seems that the bright spark who typed-in the details managed to insert and extra space in the post code.

No problem, I legged it to the local office and after queuing for a while paid over the counter. To a human eye it is obvious the post codes are identical, but not to a computer.

This year they have introduced a discount for paying online. But I still can’t pay online because of the post code mismatch.

This is very annoying, because when I tried to get it sorted during the year, I was told by Westminster Council that unfortunately the verification data is held with a ‘third party’ and they can’t disclose who this company is.... nor can I appeal against the fact that they have the wrong post code. Strange. Very strange.




You are entitled to see any data held about you. Mention this and they may relent.
I agree they cannot keep this Information from you, you are entitled to know WHO is keeping your Details. :-/
Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: Markjay on 23 November 2007, 14:53:00
Well they did show me the (incorrect) data they hold about me... not sure if they are obliged to say who keeps it though.

Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: STMO123 on 23 November 2007, 14:56:28
Quote
Well they did show me the (incorrect) data they hold about me... not sure if they are obliged to say who keeps it though.


This is not like you Isaac! Tell the tinkers you want it sorting or you will be taking it further, and if they still do nothing, then make use of one of the free law centres that abound in London. They love p*ssing councils off.
Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: STMO123 on 23 November 2007, 15:06:50
....or, could you not just enter your postcode as the computer has it, ie, gaps and all, and see if the infernal machine will have it.
Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: Markjay on 23 November 2007, 15:39:12
Quote
....or, could you not just enter your postcode as the computer has it, ie, gaps and all, and see if the infernal machine will have it.

he he, you think I didn't try.... there are two parts to it, when I first log-in it shows the correct address and postcode and let me go through the renewal process, then at the end it says that it needs to confirm my details using a 'third party agency', and then it says that details they have about me 'can not be verified' and shows me the address with the wrong postcode! The postcode is not changeable in either place, it is just given... I am told it is not a good idea to post personal details on websites (can't see this matter much after the lost discs though), so I will demonstrate using an example:

My correct postcode is:

A1 1AB

The 'wrong' one is showing as:

A 1 1AB

 :(



Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: Elite Pete on 23 November 2007, 16:51:09
Quote
Quote
I have a Residents Parking Permit from Westminster council.

Last year they launched a website allowing online renewals. Mine was rejected however due to a mismatch of my address. On closer examination, it seems that the bright spark who typed-in the details managed to insert and extra space in the post code.

No problem, I legged it to the local office and after queuing for a while paid over the counter. To a human eye it is obvious the post codes are identical, but not to a computer.

This year they have introduced a discount for paying online. But I still can’t pay online because of the post code mismatch.

This is very annoying, because when I tried to get it sorted during the year, I was told by Westminster Council that unfortunately the verification data is held with a ‘third party’ and they can’t disclose who this company is.... nor can I appeal against the fact that they have the wrong post code. Strange. Very strange.




You are entitled to see any data held about you. Mention this and they may relent.
It might cost you a £10 but Steve's right for once ;D
Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: Markjay on 23 November 2007, 17:18:57
Quote
Quote
Quote
I have a Residents Parking Permit from Westminster council.

Last year they launched a website allowing online renewals. Mine was rejected however due to a mismatch of my address. On closer examination, it seems that the bright spark who typed-in the details managed to insert and extra space in the post code.

No problem, I legged it to the local office and after queuing for a while paid over the counter. To a human eye it is obvious the post codes are identical, but not to a computer.

This year they have introduced a discount for paying online. But I still can’t pay online because of the post code mismatch.

This is very annoying, because when I tried to get it sorted during the year, I was told by Westminster Council that unfortunately the verification data is held with a ‘third party’ and they can’t disclose who this company is.... nor can I appeal against the fact that they have the wrong post code. Strange. Very strange.




You are entitled to see any data held about you. Mention this and they may relent.
It might cost you a £10 but Steve's right for once ;D


Err... £10 is the online discount...
Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: miggy on 23 November 2007, 17:22:57
Quote
Quote
Quote
I have a Residents Parking Permit from Westminster council.

Last year they launched a website allowing online renewals. Mine was rejected however due to a mismatch of my address. On closer examination, it seems that the bright spark who typed-in the details managed to insert and extra space in the post code.

No problem, I legged it to the local office and after queuing for a while paid over the counter. To a human eye it is obvious the post codes are identical, but not to a computer.

This year they have introduced a discount for paying online. But I still can’t pay online because of the post code mismatch.

This is very annoying, because when I tried to get it sorted during the year, I was told by Westminster Council that unfortunately the verification data is held with a ‘third party’ and they can’t disclose who this company is.... nor can I appeal against the fact that they have the wrong post code. Strange. Very strange.




You are entitled to see any data held about you. Mention this and they may relent.
It might cost you a £10 but Steve's right for once ;D

Thats true


Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 23 November 2007, 17:45:22
Quote
Quote
....or, could you not just enter your postcode as the computer has it, ie, gaps and all, and see if the infernal machine will have it.

he he, you think I didn't try.... there are two parts to it, when I first log-in it shows the correct address and postcode and let me go through the renewal process, then at the end it says that it needs to confirm my details using a 'third party agency', and then it says that details they have about me 'can not be verified' and shows me the address with the wrong postcode! The postcode is not changeable in either place, it is just given... I am told it is not a good idea to post personal details on websites (can't see this matter much after the lost discs though), so I will demonstrate using an example:

My correct postcode is:

A1 1AB

The 'wrong' one is showing as:

A 1 1AB

 :(


As I estimate..the worst case..space between the words (or letters)..Standard trim function will not solve..Must be manually corrected..No other way ..

Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: Auto Addict on 23 November 2007, 17:54:39
Quote
Well they did show me the (incorrect) data they hold about me... not sure if they are obliged to say who keeps it though.


Just another way of getting more money out of you >:(
Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: Markjay on 23 November 2007, 18:25:27
Quote
Quote
Well they did show me the (incorrect) data they hold about me... not sure if they are obliged to say who keeps it though.


Just another way of getting more money out of you >:(

Hmmm... AA... you did say you were involved with IT before retiring... I am beginning to suspect that you are behind all this.  ;D


Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: CaptainZok on 23 November 2007, 18:32:20
Quote
Quote
Quote
Well they did show me the (incorrect) data they hold about me... not sure if they are obliged to say who keeps it though.


Just another way of getting more money out of you >:(

Hmmm... AA... you did say you were involved with IT before retiring... I am beginning to suspect that you are behind all this.  ;D



Nooooo AA used to paint the beads on the abacus before it was delivered.
Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: MikeDundee on 23 November 2007, 20:28:29
You are entitled to the information under the FOI act. Also given that the authority has made an error when inputting your details, this is not your fault, and as such the authority have to correct it. If they say they can't then advise them that you will take it to the LGO (Local Government Ombudsman), alternatively ask them to send you a complaints form and advise them that you will also be contacting your local Councillor and or the Chief executive and or CC'ing them in to any correspondence.

As soon as you mention complaints, ask to speak to a senior officer, mention LGO, Councillor, etc., etc., this should get the desired effect in resolving your problem.  :y
Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: Markjay on 23 November 2007, 20:32:10
Quote
You are entitled to the information under the FOI act. Also given that the authority has made an error when inputting your details, this is not your fault, and as such the authority have to correct it. If they say they can't then advise them that you will take it to the LGO (Local Government Ombudsman), alternatively ask them to send you a complaints form and advise them that you will also be contacting your local Councillor and or the Chief executive and or CC'ing them in to any correspondence.

As soon as you mention complaints, ask to speak to a senior officer, mention LGO, Councillor, etc., etc., this should get the desired effect in resolving your problem.  :y

Thanks Mike... I will follow your advise and see how it goes.
Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: MikeDundee on 23 November 2007, 20:35:46
Quote
Quote
You are entitled to the information under the FOI act. Also given that the authority has made an error when inputting your details, this is not your fault, and as such the authority have to correct it. If they say they can't then advise them that you will take it to the LGO (Local Government Ombudsman), alternatively ask them to send you a complaints form and advise them that you will also be contacting your local Councillor and or the Chief executive and or CC'ing them in to any correspondence.

As soon as you mention complaints, ask to speak to a senior officer, mention LGO, Councillor, etc., etc., this should get the desired effect in resolving your problem.  :y

Thanks Mike... I will follow your advise and see how it goes.

No probs :y
Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: Markjay on 28 November 2007, 11:15:44
Went to Wesminster Council One-Stop Services yesterday, was told by the supervisor it has nothing to do with them, the address is correct on their system and that I should call Wesminster Council Parking Services.

Wesminster Council Parking Services said it has nothing to do with them, the address is correct on their system and that I should call Wesminster Council Parking Permits.

Wesminster Council Parking Permits said it has nothing to do with them, the address is correct on their system and that I should call Experian, the external credit check company that Wesminster Council uses for identity checks.

Experian do not take calls from the public, there is an automated answering system where you can leave your details and pay 3.50 for a copy of your credit record, but no option to apeal/complain or talk to a human being.... so back to square one.

I paid the parking permit over the counter (including the extra tenner), and my only option now is to complain to Wesminster Council or the Local Government Ombudsman aout the fact that there is no-one at Wesminster Council who will take reponsibilty for wrong data issues....

 :(

Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: Markjay on 28 November 2007, 12:59:16
Just received an email:

'Thank you for email.  I Have check our records and your postcode is fine.  Please try again and if you are still having problem please come back to us on ParkingPermits@Westminster.gov.uk'

 :(

Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: Jimbob on 28 November 2007, 13:01:46
Quote
Just received an email:

'Thank you for email.  I Have check our records and your postcode is going to generate a fine.  Please try again and if you are still having problem please come back to us on ParkingPermits@Westminster.gov.uk'

 :(

they missed some words out, I've filled in the blanks  ;D
Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: Elite Pete on 28 November 2007, 13:08:56
Quote
Quote
Just received an email:

'Thank you for email.  I Have check our records and your postcode is going to generate a fine.  Please try again and if you are still having problem please come back to us on thisemaildosntwork@Westminster.gov.uk'

 :(

they missed some words out, I've filled in the blanks  ;D

Ive made a slight alteration as well :D
Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: Markjay on 28 November 2007, 14:02:51
 ;D ;D ;D for your responses

 :'( :'( :'( for my predicament

Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: miggy on 28 November 2007, 17:01:23
Buy a push bike ;D ;D
Title: Re: Residents Parking Permit
Post by: ghondie on 28 November 2007, 17:43:00
mention the words "daily mail" they love this kind of story, lol :y