I used Islington Council's website to make a penalty charge payment and when I reached the last stage of the payment the site revealed error codes and informend me that my payment had not been processed. I made several attempts before giving up and telephoning the parking section the following day (11th February 2009). I was informed that I had already paid, so I decided to check my banks statement, which had the sum of £60.00 deducted five times. Extremely alarmed, I rang the parking department again and spoke to a man who was quite sympathetic, but he said he had to follow certain procedures. I was asked to email a copy of my bank statement even though I had already received five emails receipts from the council. I resented sending such personal details via an email and I didn't believe it was necessary, but I was leaving the country the next day for five days and I needed to have the money returned to my bank account promptly.
However, this matter was not regarded as urgent by the finance department who only write cheques on Tuesdays; they will apparently send my money back then. It is now Thursday and I haven't received the cheque. I stated that |I wished to make a complaint about the long wait for the return of my £240.00 and was passed to several different extension numbers, the last lady said she would ring me back and ofcourse she never did.
I have been robbed of my money and have to wait for it to be returned for how ever long Islington Council's finance department see fit. So what are my rights? Does anyone know?

Eibhlin Savage