Workplace Parking Levy - additional charge

[Kookie444]

The company I work for has decided to pass on the cost of the WPL to its staff. which is fair enough.

 

However, they have also decided to add on an additional amount of money which they say will go towards installing a new barrier and other controls.

 

The amount isn't small either.

 

If you want a 5 day permit, the actual cost is £334, but the company is charging £450.

 

Is this legal and can I refuse to pay this additional charge?

 

The more I think about it, it can't be right?!

 

Your advice and thoughts would be much appreciated.

[Michael Browne]

If it's private land they can set what charges the like.

 

They could charge employees nothing, even though it will cost the company £334 per space.

Or they could charge £1000.

 

there's nothing in the legislation to say employers can only charge employees the cost of the WPL permit

[Kookie444]

That's interesting, thanks. However, it is private land but the company I work for doesn't own it. Does this make a difference?

[Michael Browne]

That's interesting, thanks. However, it is private land but the company I work for doesn't own it. Does this make a difference?

None at all, I should imagine

[Kookie444]

Not good news then! Thanks for the info anyway.

[Michael Browne]

One thing, the company say the additional £116 is towards installing a new barrier and other controls, which presumably is a one-off expenditure, so you could ask if the fee will be reduced in subsequent years (although the WPL fee itself is due to rise annually)

[Kookie444]

Yes, will check.

 

However, I've been thinking about what you said that the company can charge what they like for parking as it is their land.

 

Well, okay if that is the case, but surely they can't charge employees for the cost of works to the building or outside area?

 

That is what they are saying - staff are being asked to pay towards the cost of new barriers and the cost of people going round checking the cars.

 

That's like saying, "we're having a new reception area built and new carpet in the meeting rooms,

and staff have to pay a contribution to that".

 

If they had just said, "the cost of a 5 day parking permit will be £450, then that would have been that.

 

What do you think to that argument?

[ericsbrother]

Not the same argument I'm afraid as the building costs is an employment law matter and the parking is basically a perk.

[kirkbyinfurnesslad]

Agh the Nottingham Work place parking levy

 

Luckily i dont have to pay it

[Kookie444]

ericsbrother - are you agreeing that we have to pay the extra cost then?

[ericsbrother]

Yep, your employer is not bound to provide you with a parking space and the Nazis that run the town halls will fine them for not collecting the money. It has little to do with saving the planet or the public good but just a scheme to extract more money for themselves to waste elsewhere. It was challenged in court years ago when the congestion charge came in in London and a similar scheme in Oxford was adjudged to be legal. beatsd me how but that is the use of semantics to decide law rather than statute for you.

[Kookie444]

Well, I'm not asking about the workplace parking levy itself as I realise we have to pay that now, it's the extra cost they are putting on top of that and stating it's going towards buying new car park barriers, parking attendant costs etc. That's the bit that I don't understand why staff have to pay - surely that can't be right? I know the unions are arguing against it, so we will have to see what happens, I guess!

[Homer67]

You have a choice not to pay by not taking your car to work, unless you are disabled or must have use of your car for a work related reason, I can't see you not having to pay. Take it up with your union maybe.

[kirkbyinfurnesslad]

I see no issue with the wppl.Nottingham has very good transport links. Good bus, train and tram service's. I know of no area which is not served by good bus links

[Kookie444]

Thanks for all your replies but no-one has actually answered my question, sorry!

 

WPL = fine, no problems with paying that as I want to use my car and understand I now have to pay to park at work.

 

Extra money on top of WPL that the company has said will pay for new barrier/attendant costs = problem with this: is this a cost we have to pay under our terms of employment?

[ericsbrother]

you have had the quesdtion answered in post 2. There is nothing that stops your employer charging what they want to and they can remove the parking concession completely. Not sure if they would still have to pay the council if they did this but many companies have done away with staff parking and rented out their car parks when assessed for rates on it.

vote out your council when you get the opportunity.

[kirkbyinfurnesslad]

The council charge the wppl according to ths number of car parking spaces.

 

It is only the city council. A lot of the surrounding areas are borough councils. It's helped fund the tram which is a good thing.

 

Council unlikely to be voted out as very strong labour area

[Kookie444]

Thanks again then! I'll update this post if anything changes following union involvement! Won't hold my breath though.

[Startkey&Clutch]

I see no issue with the wppl.Nottingham has very good transport links. Good bus, train and tram service's. I know of no area which is not served by good bus links

 

I could name a few!