East London News A Force for the community…
Can you remember the last time you queued in a One
Stop Shop to renew your parking permit? The good news is that you may be able to renew your permit next time from the comfort of your own home.
Tower Hamlets Council is now sending residents a reminder letter at least four weeks before their parking permit expires. The letter includes your own unique webcode, and as long as your personal and vehicle details have not changed, you will be able to use the code and, following instructions, renew your permit online.
The service is catching on fast: nearly half the permits renewed in October were done online, and a telephone survey of residents who had renewed online found a 100% satisfaction rate. Those who do not have internet access at home can use the internet for free in Idea Stores, where members can even book sessions in advance, and in libraries.
Residents should act quickly as soon as you get your letter, as you have to allow at least five working days before your current permit is due to expire for the new permit to arrive through the post. However, if your current permit does expire before the new one arrives, you should continue to display expired permit (for up to seven days).
Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman said that he hoped the service being available online would make renewal of permits faster and easier for residents. It’s not only permit renewers who save time by not having to queue at the One Stop Shop: people who need the One Stop Shop for other purposes should get a faster service as the queues reduce.
Cllr Shahed Ali, Cabinet Member for the Environment, also hoped that the online service would give residents more flexibility, as it is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
•Permits can also be renewed over the telephone, by calling 020-7364 5003, from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and from 8am to 4pm on Saturdays.
•For more information visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/residentpermits or call 020-7364 5003.
I can see how this might be helpful for some people and maybe other councils do something similar but I don’t really think it’s the councils place to remind people to renew their permits in this sort of way. Is this something the council has to do or has decided to do for the convenience of residence? I do take the point that it might cut down waiting times at one stop shops, but i suppose that benefit depends on original cost outlay postage printing etc.