Council vans clamped due to £138,000 permit mix-up

Two council-owned vans were immobilized after the local authority failed to obtain the appropriate parking permits. Swindon Borough Council incurred costs of 138,000 to settle County Court judgments arising from this administrative error, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The vehicles were clamped while parked outside the council's Civic Offices on Euclid Street. Deputy council leader Emma Bushell acknowledged the issue, stating, This clearly has not been the council's finest hour. We regret this occurrence and are committed to preventing a repeat.

Ms. Bushell addressed councillors during a debate on a motion introduced by Conservative deputy leader Councillor Dale Heenan. Heenan revealed that the council had received fines totaling 138,000 between March and August. He added, This is highly unusual and not standard practice for this authority.

Bushell confirmed that the fines, which led to bailiff action, were promptly paid and the vans were unclamped. She attributed the incident to the prolonged absence of the staff member responsible for permits, admitting, It was entirely the council's error.

She further explained that the council's chief executive and head of finance had instructed the internal audit team to investigate the incident thoroughly to prevent a recurrence.

Author: Grace Ellison