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A resident of The Meadows in Nottingham, Mark Toplass, faced a lengthy battle with Nottingham City Council over a £25 parking charge outside his home. Despite having a brain injury that causes memory loss, Toplass relies on reminders to keep up with everyday tasks, including renewing his parking permit. The 55-year-old received the penalty in February after his permit had expired, but he claimed he did not receive a reminder as outlined in the council’s policy.
Having suffered two brain injuries, including a haemorrhage at the age of 38, Toplass emphasized the importance of reminders in his daily life. Frustrated by the council’s repeated demands for payment and threats of doubling the fine, he took the matter to appeals to prove that the council was not following its own procedures. Despite being told that reminders were merely a courtesy, Toplass delved into the council’s policy and found that residents were supposed to receive email reminders before their permits expired.
After months of fighting the charge, Toplass’s persistence paid off, and the council eventually canceled the fine in May following his second appeal. In response to his experience, he lodged an official complaint and submitted a freedom of information request to uncover how many other residents might have been similarly affected. Citing financial concerns and a desire to avoid future complications, Toplass opted to cancel his parking permit and utilize his driveway, previously left empty for local children to play football, instead.
Nottingham City Council acknowledged Toplass’s challenges and expressed regret over the situation he faced. While they did not disclose the reason for canceling the charge, they assured that they strive to enforce parking policies fairly and with consideration for individual circumstances. Residents with penalty notices are encouraged to appeal, with each case being evaluated on a case-by-case basis to account for unique situations like Toplass’s
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