Enforcement Policy In Relation to Representations Against Penalty Charge Notices

Informal written (or email parkingservices@sheffield.gov.uk) challenges will be dealt with where possible within 14 days of receipt.  However, there may be occasions when peaks of workload mean that this is not possible.  In these circumstances, an immediate acknowledgement will be issued, and a full response will be sent, as soon as possible thereafter.

Formal representations in response to postal Penalty Charge Notices or Notices To Owner will be dealt with in accordance with the time scale specified by Department for Transport Statutory Guidance, which is within 56 days of receipt.  Every effort will be made to respond more quickly, but the Department for Transport Statutory Guidance allows local authorities 56 days to respond.

The legislation allows the owner of a vehicle 28 days from the date of receipt of a postal Penalty Charge Notice or a Notice to Owner (or hirer), to pay or make representations.  Councils may ignore any representations which are made after this period.  Sheffield City Council will allow a few days flexibility with regard to this deadline provided that the person making representations provides a valid reason for any delay.  However, any representations which are made more than 7 days beyond the normal deadline will not be considered, unless there are severe and genuine extenuating circumstances.

A postal Penalty Charge Notice or a Notice To Owner gives details of the grounds on which representations and appeals may be made.  However, Sheffield City Council will consider other genuine and extenuating circumstances and in these cases, the particular facts of the case will be taken into consideration.  However, please see     

Guidance Relating to Challenging a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) for further guidance in relation to circumstances which will not normally justify cancellation of a Penalty Charge.

Representations will not normally be accepted after a Penalty Charge has been paid, as payment is regarded as acceptance of liability for the Penalty Charge.