Car parking

The demand for employee parking outweighs the available space. For this reason, parking has to be strictly controlled, and council employees wishing to park their car at council premises must apply for a permit.

For a number of our services it is essential employees have access to and can use cars to carry out their jobs. If you need a car for your role, we want to make sure you can use parking where we have it available on council sites. You can continue to claim back any parking expenses you incur on council business.

Who can apply for a car parking permit

Priority is given to those with a clear business need as a priority over personal need.

Examples of business needs can include, but are not limited to:

• frontline workers completing essential and often urgent trips across Essex, where the office is their base
• transporting children and families and moving between geographical location
• transporting equipment and materials to and from the office
• the office is the base from which employees will attend various visits and/or meetings throughout the day
• required to respond to emergency calls and are often in and out of the office

Your application will be considered using strict criteria, which are listed in order of priority:

1. Vehicle use has been deemed essential and compulsory for the employee to carry out their role, and they required for travel to and from their office base during the day (daily or near daily and this can be supported by evidence).
2. A regular (daily or near daily) need to transport service users and their families to and from the office.
3. Employees on-call for emergencies which requires travel to and from the office.
4. Blue Badge holders - where your medical need remains (based on evidence), your Blue Badge permit will continue as normal.
5. Employees who have a medical requirement (such as reduced mobility or other health issues) and there is evidence to support this, such as an occupational health report or maternity certificate (MAT B1) where appropriate.

As there are a limited number of permits available, meeting the criteria does not guarantee that you will be issued with a parking permit.

You may be placed on a waiting list or, in some cases, your application may be declined due to the number of higher priority applications.

Applying for a permit

When applying for a parking permit, your line manager will be asked to confirm you are eligible.

You will need to show your manager evidence that you meet the criteria. This must include one or more of the following:

• evidence of essential car use in the last 3 months, for example expense claims
• a copy of your blue badge permit
• a copy of your occupational health referral stating that you have mobility or other health issue needs affecting car parking
• a copy of your MAT B1 certificate

Once you have evidence that you meet the criteria to apply, fill out the employee car parking application form.

By applying and submitting an application form for a parking permit, you and your line manager certify that the information is correct and that you meet the criteria.

If you have a query about your car parking application or the use of a current permit, email ecc.contract.support@mitie.com.  

What happens after you apply

When your manager receives your request, they will need to review and validate your applications as they are responsible for checking and approving that you meet the parking criteria.

If you are issued with a parking permit, it will be valid all day Monday to Friday only.

Parking permits are discretionary and not a contractual benefit or part of your terms of employment and may be withdrawn at any time.

Keep your permit safe

You should look after your permit as there is a cost associated with replacing it. 

Do not keep or place your permit close to a magnetic source as this may render it unusable.

Information for permit holders 

Changes to your employment or role

You will no longer be eligible for a parking permit if:

• your employment conditions change
• your role changes and you no longer meet the business needs criteria
• you do not need a car to perform your role

Your manager will be asked to notify Mitie and your permit will be cancelled. Return your permit to the office reception of your place of work.

Changes to your personal details, car registration or office location

You need to tell Mitie if you:

• change your name
• change office locations
• car registration changes

You should also contact Mitie if there are any other changes which may impact your eligibility for a parking permit.

Using free parking facilities

Where your current work location has free parking close by, this is dependent on the facilities available for that building and is not a contractual benefit or part of your employment terms. 

If your place of work changes, and your new location does not have comparable parking facilities, Essex County Council is not obliged to provide alternative free or subsidised parking, and you will not be entitled to compensation for any parking charges that may occur.

We will explore any opportunities to add additional car parking where we can, as well as look at options to improve the situation in the future.