Southport MP confirms veterans were issued with FPN,s during Remembrance Service.

"I can confirm that I have been contacted by local veterans regarding the receipt of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) on 12th November, as they, and others, could not issue payment to faulty parking meters in Southport town centre.

"I have asked those affected to share the relevant details regarding their FPNs, and I am in the process of raising each case with the Chief Executive as soon as I receive this information. I will continue to update my constituents directly and provide assistance in any way I can.

"It is disgraceful that any veteran should be impacted in this way, and I urge Sefton Council to rectify this situation at the earliest possible time."

Sefton Council said...

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulation and Compliance, had responded to comments made by the MP for Southport over parking at the town’s Remembrance Sunday Service.

Cllr Lappin said: “It’s disappointing that the MP for Southport has issued his statement without first checking any facts.

“No Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) were issued during the Remembrance Sunday service in Southport.

“A total of five PCNs were issued to cars without valid payment in car parks in Southport Town Centre after 12pm on Sunday, including four PCNs issued to cars parked on Tulketh Street without evidence of valid payment. 

“We were later made aware of an intermittent fault with the card payment transaction processing system which resulted in some people being unable to pay by card, or by cash.  

“This fault was not something we had any control over and as soon as it was brought to our attention we stopped enforcement of paid-for parking places”

"While we do have an operational phone payment system and ability to pay via smartphone app, we will, as we always do, assess any appeal for tickets issued during this time and take into account these factors.

"Anyone who feels they did receive a ticket unjustly having tried to pay by card on Sunday November 12th should contact the council via [email protected].

"The insinuation that our hard working Civil Enforcement Officers targeted those paying their respects is deliberately inflammatory and will no doubt add to the completely unnecessary and uncalled for abuse our officers receive while carrying out their jobs.”