CAR PARKING CHARGES FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Transcription

1 CAR PARKING CHARGES FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) City Centre Campus 1. What are the arrangements for parking at the new City Centre Campus? City North Campus and City South Campus 2. When will the charges come into effect? 3. How do I apply for a permit and when? 4. How long will the permit last? 5. I currently have a permit and/or a swipe card for (Oscott Gardens, The Coppice, City South Car Parks) - What should I do? 6. How do I pay for the permit? 7. Will the permit cover all sites or just my main site? 8. What are the permit monthly charges? 9. What are the Pay As You Go charges? 10. Which car parks are permit and which are Pay As You Go? 11. What do I do if I am a disabled member of staff? 12. What are the arrangements for part-time staff? 13. What are the arrangements for staff on maternity or adoption leave? 14. What are the arrangements for staff on paternity leave? 15. What are the arrangements for staff on sick leave? 16. What are the arrangements for staff on annual leave? 17. Are there any benefits for car-sharers? 18. If I have a permit am I guaranteed a space? 19. What are my options if I travel cross-campus for meetings? 20. What if I want to use 2 (or more) different cars? 21. How will the permits be presented? 22. If a permit is not displayed what will happen? 23. What applies if you travel from one BCU site (or more) during the day? 24. What will the money be used for? 25. What would happen if I wanted a monthly permit, but the car park at my place of work is Pay As You Go? 26. Are the permits transferable between staff? 27. Are visitors charged? 28. Why are the University s charges based on emissions when I already pay road tax based on these factors? 29. Who do I inform if I change my vehicle? 30. What happens if I leave employment with BCU and have a pre-paid permit? 31. What is the penalty if I don t pay for parking and/or pay for an incorrect permit? 32. Who do I contact if I feel I am unable to pay the charges due to financial restraints? 33. Do I have to prove what car I have when applying for a permit? Staff could potentially lie and is Security Services going to check every vehicle? 34. If I am asked to come into work in exceptional circumstances or over/above normal duties, will my car parking be reimbursed? 35. If a member of staff normally travels on public transport but is required to use his/her car due to carrying out an activity on behalf of the University for which the car is essential, can the car parking charges be claimed back as expenses? 36. Will PAYG be cash only or will it allow card payment? 37. How will I prove my car s emissions? 38. If I have a permit and I use another car for a day (e.g. hire car due to main one being at the garage) what happens then? 39. What do I do if I decide to change the way I travel to work and therefore cancel my permit?

2 40. How do I get into the City North permit car park if I only want to drop off/collect my child/children from the Nursery? 41. I have just joined the University. How do I get a permit? 42. I am an Agency Worker can I have access to the Staff Car Parks? 43. I am a Visiting Teacher. How do I pay for car parking? 44. I am based at Millennium Point and already pay for parking there. Do I have to pay for another permit to park in University car parks when I visit other Campuses? CAR PARKING CHARGES FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) City Centre Campus 1. What are the arrangements for parking at the new City Centre Campus? Private parking permits may be purchased. Rates and terms and conditions differ to those at City North and City South Campuses. The following link includes further details and a separate FAQ specific to City Centre parking provision: Upgrading-your-future/Travelling-to-the-City-Centre-Campus/Car-parking-FAQs City North Campus and City South Campus 2. When will the charges come into effect? 1 st May Payroll will need the authorised forms in plenty of time, i.e. by the end of April 2012 latest. 3. How do I apply for a permit and when? You can download an application form by visiting the Car Parking Charges site on icity. Alternatively, a form can be downloaded from the HR website at the following link: 20Form.docx 4. How long will the permit last? Once you have a permit it will last as long as you want it, but if you decide to cancel it you will automatically go to the bottom of the waiting list if you change your mind in the future and if there is a waiting list for permits in the car park you want. Permits are paid for in advance. You will need to notify Security Services (City North Campus) and cc Payroll if you wish to cease paying for a permit and return your permit to Security Services (City North Campus). When you have given appropriate notice to the University and have returned your permit to Security Services (City North Campus), Payroll will be instructed by Security Services to make the appropriate adjustment to your salary.

3 5. I currently have a permit and/or a swipe card for (Oscott Gardens, The Coppice and City South Car Parks) - What should I do? You should re-apply for a permit as set out below in order that the revised charging mechanism can be introduced and a revised payment deduction mandate sent to Payroll. In addition to the current permit, if you currently hold a swipe card for any of the above car parks, this can remain with you following your successful application for a new permit. If you have not applied by 1 May 2012, the permit may be re-issued to someone else and those colleagues with swipe cards will be expected to return them to Security Services (City North Campus). 6. How do I pay for the permit? By monthly deductions from net salary in advance. 7. Will the permit cover all sites or just my main site? The permit can be used at any of the University s permit car parks except Pay As You Go car parks as long as there are spaces available. 8. What are the permit monthly charges? The charging schedule based upon emissions for a full time member of staff will be as follows and will be annually reviewed:- Cars - CO2 Emissions 0-130g/km g/km g/km 226g/km and over Permit Charge 5.00 per calendar month 9.00 per calendar month per calendar month per calendar month For cars registered before 1 st March 2001 the following will apply:- Cars - Cylinder Capacity (cc) Up to 1549cc Over 1549cc Other Motorcycles Permit Charge 9.00 per calendar month per calendar month Permit Charge 5.00 per calendar month 9. What are the Pay As You Go charges? City North/City South PAYG Car Parks First 30 minutes free 30 minutes to 2 hours to 9 hours to 12 hours to 24 hours Anything over 24 hours per day Lost tickets will be charged at 4.00 per day

4 Doug Ellis Sports Centre Car Park (City North) Disabled Blue Badge Holders - Free (validate ticket in Sports Centre) Up to 3 hours Free for Sports Centre users only (validate ticket at Reception) The following charges apply to any user:- Parking up to 15 minutes Free 15 minutes to 1 hour to 2 hours to 3 hours to 4 hours to 6 hours to 8 hours to 12 hours to 24 hours Over 24 hours - charge per day Lost tickets will be charged at per day 10. Which car parks are permit and which are Pay As You Go? City North Current staff car park will be permit only Current student car park will be PAYG Doug Ellis Sports Centre Car Park - overspill PAYG Leyland House - Permit only (swipe card entry) The Coppice Permit only (swipe card entry) City South Multi-storey - PAYG Limetree House Disabled Blue Badge holders only All others - Permit only (swipe card entry) Bevan House - currently visitors only City Centre There are no University provided car parking spaces at City Centre School of Jewellery Parking at rear off Frederick Street - Permit only Bournville Parking at Ruskin Hall - Permit only

5 11. What do I do if I am a disabled member of staff? If you hold a disabled blue badge you will be able to park free of charge where disabled parking is provided. However, you will need to complete and return the car parking permit application form. If you do not qualify for a disabled blue badge and have short-term accessible parking needs through temporary illness you can apply for a temporary permit to park in disabled bays by completing the relevant form (which can be obtained from Security Services (City North Campus)) and sending the completed form, with your Line Manager s support, to Andrew Markou, Assistant Director of Campus Management and Services (Security Services), who will consult Human Resources and consider the application and issue the relevant temporary permit. Please note that this temporary permit will be issued to supplement the normal charged permit to park for which you will continue to be charged. Please note that disabled parking only exists at City North Campus, City South Campus. 12. What are the arrangements for part-time staff? Part-time staff who elect the permit option will be charged pro-rata to their working hours irrespective of working pattern. (For example, if your car emissions equate to the 11 per month permit charge, but you only work 50% of full time hours, you will be charged 5.50 per month). If you change your working hours it is your responsibility to ensure you are paying for the correct monthly permit. Human Resources will advise Payroll of the change of hours and Payroll will adjust the monthly deduction from pay from the date of change and collect any arrears. 13. What are the arrangements for staff on maternity or adoption leave? Staff who are currently on maternity leave beyond 1 st May do not need to apply for a permit until they return to work. Those staff who attend the University for KIT days are advised to use Pay As You Go car parks on those occasions. Staff who go on maternity or adoption leave after 1 st May can apply to have their monthly deductions stopped during their period of maternity/adoption leave. Before returning from maternity/adoption leave individuals who wish to use a permit only car park will need to provide one month s notice of their return to work and and apply for a permit. 14. What are the arrangements for staff on paternity leave? Those staff who have a permit will have a pro-rata deduction made to their monthly payment. 15. What are the arrangements for staff on sick leave? Staff who are on sick leave and who unfortunately go into half pay will have their monthly deductions halved at that point. Staff who go into nil pay will have their deductions ceased until they return to work on full pay. Payroll will adjust the monthly deduction from pay and collect any arrears. Deductions for permits will continue to be made for staff on short-term sick leave.

6 16. What are the arrangements for staff on annual leave? Staff who elect the permit option will continue to have deductions made from their monthly salary. Staff who use the Pay As You Go car parks will of course not be charged if they don t use those car parks. 17. Are there any benefits for car-sharers? Consideration has been given to allocating spaces for car-sharers but it was deemed too difficult to operate at least initially. This may be reviewed however. 18. If I have a permit am I guaranteed a space? As now, car parking is available on a first come first served basis. The permit is a license to use the car parks and is not a guarantee of a space. The University will, however, endeavour not to issue more permits than can realistically allow an employee to find a space. Staff should endeavour to park responsibly in University car parks and given that staff are now paying for car parking, those individuals who are found to repeatedly park irresponsibly and take up more than one bay may be excluded from car parks in the future. 19. What are my options if I travel cross-campus for meetings? If you have a permit you may use permit car parks if spaces are available. Otherwise it s a University Pay As You Go car park. The University will not refund car parking charges for any employee parking in any of its own car parks for whatever reason. If there are no spaces available in the Pay As You Go car park then staff may claim for using a nearby public car park. 20. What if I want to use 2 (or more) different cars? If you wish to have access to the permit car parks for more than one car you will need to specify details of those cars on your monthly permit application form. Your permit will be charged at the higher emissions rate. Alternatively, you may wish to use the Pay As You Go car parks on those occasions when you need to use the car with the higher emissions. 21. How will the permits be presented? To allow for security spot checks, monthly permits must be visibly displayed on car windscreens. 22. If a permit is not displayed what will happen? On entry to the car park you will be directed to an appropriate Pay As You Go car park. 23. What applies if you travel from one BCU site (or more) during the day? The permit option will probably be the most cost effective option for you.

7 24. What will the money be used for? As per the car parking consultation process, the University will use the revenues generated to provide advice to staff on alternative travel options, to work with travel providers to improve provision, to improve security in our car parks, for enforcement of the parking regulations and to maintain facilities such as bike sheds and showers for those that utilise alternative methods of travel. 25. What would happen if I wanted a monthly permit, but the car park at my place of work is Pay As You Go? Where possible all of the three main sites will have both options available. 26. Are the permits transferable between staff? The permit is allocated to a particular employee and his/her specified car/s. Any use of a permit by another member of staff will be regarded as dishonesty or an attempt to defraud the University and disciplinary action may follow. 27. Are visitors charged? Conference visitors will be charged as part of the Conference fee. Other visitors as of now will not be charged. 28. Why are the University s charges based on emissions when I already pay road tax based on these factors? Various options were put to staff during the consultation exercise and the majority of responses supported a charging system based on emissions. 29. Who do I inform if I change my vehicle? Firstly, check that the emissions rate has changed. If it has and you wish to continue to use the permit car parks then you will need to apply for a revised permit so that the appropriate charge can be deducted from your salary. 30. What happens if I leave employment with BCU and have a pre-paid permit? Permits are paid for in advance. You will need to notify Security Services (City North Campus) and cc Payroll if you wish to cease paying for a permit and return your permit to Security Services (City North Campus). When you have given appropriate notice to the University and have returned your permit to Security Services (City North Campus), Payroll will be instructed by Security Services to make the appropriate adjustment to your salary. 31. What is the penalty if I don t pay for parking and/or pay for an incorrect permit? It is unlikely that you will be able to exit a Pay As You Go car park without having paid the appropriate charge. If you have elected to have a permit you are required to notify the University of any changes which will affect the amount you pay. If you are found to have deliberately withheld that information or supplied incorrect information you may be subject to the University s disciplinary procedure.

8 32. Who do I contact if I feel I am unable to pay the charges due to financial restraints? If you are unable to pay car parking charges you are advised to check the icity website for guidance on alternative modes of transport such as public transport, cycling and car sharing schemes. The University regards these charges as modest and will not be in a position to assist staff financially. 33. Do I have to prove what car I have when applying for a permit? Staff could potentially lie and is Security Services going to check every vehicle? Staff will be asked to sign that the information they supply is correct and that they will notify Security Services (City North Campus) cc Payroll at any time the information changes. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary proceedings. Security Services will undertake spot checks. 34. If I am asked to come into work in exceptional circumstances or over/above normal duties, will my car parking be reimbursed? The University will not reimburse any member of staff who uses a University car park whatever the circumstances. The University will, however, reimburse costs incurred on public transport in these circumstances (except Taxis). 35. If a member of staff normally travels on public transport but is required to use his/her car due to carrying out an activity on behalf of the University for which the car is essential, can the car parking charges be claimed back as expenses? The University will not reimburse any member of staff who uses a University car park whatever the circumstances. The University will, however, reimburse costs incurred on public transport in these circumstances (except Taxis). 36. Will PAYG be cash only or will it allow card payment? Check icity for the location of payment machines which will allow payment by card, coins or notes. Change will be given. 37. How will I prove my car s emissions? You or anyone else can check your car emissions by either: checking your registration certificate (V5C) entering the make and registration number of your car into the online vehicle enquiry section on DVLA s Electronic Vehicle Licensing website at the following link: Scroll down to Make an online vehicle enquiry - Click on Vehicle Enquiry in the left hand tab Click Next Enter Car Registration and Car Make Submit.

9 38. If I have a permit and I use another car for a day (e.g. hire car due to main one being at the garage) what happens then? You will need to use the Pay As You Go car park. Unfortunately, no allowances can be made for an employee s personal circumstances in this way. 39. What do I do if I decide to change the way I travel to work and therefore cancel my permit? Permits are paid for in advance. You will need to notify Security Services (City North Campus) and cc Payroll if you wish to cease paying for a permit and return your permit to Security Services (City North Campus). When you have given appropriate notice to the University and have returned your permit to Security Services (City North Campus), Payroll will be instructed by Security Services to make the appropriate adjustment to your salary. 40. How do I get into the City North permit car park if I only want to drop off/collect my child/children from the Nursery? Please contact Security Services (City North Campus) to be given a blue permit to display on your car for this purpose. 41. I have just joined the University. How do I get a permit? Apply as per above. If the car park you wish to use is likely to have free places then you will receive a permit. If not you will be placed on a waiting list. 42. I am an Agency Worker can I have access to the Staff Car Parks? As an Agency Worker you have access to the facilities that we offer our staff. In respect of car parks, you will have access to the Pay As You Go option should you wish to park on University premises and you will pay the same charge as all other staff who exercise this option. It is however not possible to offer the Monthly Permit option. This is because the payments for this service are deducted directly from the salary payments of our staff and clearly the University does not have access to the payroll operated by the agency that pays you. In addition, it is not possible to take payment in any other format as this would require the University to divert resources to collect payments and it is not reasonable, within the context of reductions in public sector finances, to spend money on matters that do not directly support the core activities of the University. 43. I am a Visiting Teacher. How do I pay for car parking? You can either chose Pay As You Go or the permit option based upon which is more advantageous to you. The basis of the calculation which would be used for the permit should you chose that option over the Pay As You Go car park would be based upon your car emissions and your current Full Time Equivalent working hours. Should your working hours and therefore your FTE change, the charge would be adjusted accordingly as per Question 11 of the Q and A document.

10 44. I am based at Millennium Point and already pay for parking there. Do I have to pay for another permit to park in University car parks when I visit other Campuses? The University acknowledges the unique situation you and your colleagues at Millennium Point find yourselves in. As the FAQ s guidance states that where staff have a permit for a particular University owned car park that space permitting if they visit another University site they can gain access to a permit car park so that they are in effect not being charged twice by having to use a Pay As You Go car park on that visit. The FAQ s also state that the University will not be refunding any member of staff who park in a University Pay As You Go car park for whatever reason. However, as things stand at the moment, as staff at Millennium Point use a public car park they will not have a University permit, so when they visit one of the University sites they would have to go in the Pay As You Go car park. In consideration of this double whammy, it has been agreed therefore that if staff are paying for parking at Millennium Point, they will be allowed into University permit car parks the same as other University permit holders as occasional visitors. I suggest therefore that such staff complete the application form and send it to Andrew Markou, in Security Services, together with a copy of the Millennium car park permit, to receive an appropriate University permit. No deduction will be made from salary. 18 June 2014 Human Resources