Public Service Scratchcards
Application Form
1. What to do
The Council has introduced self-assessment for businesses. Therefore you must ensure
that you meet the proof of eligibility criteria in section 4.
2. How and where to use a scratchcard
The scratchcard must be displayed on the vehicle’s dashboard nearest to the pavement side,
so that all the details can be clearly seen from the outside.
To validate a scratch card you must only scratch out one box in each section labelled Date,
Hours and Minutes (time of arrival) and Month. Please note this is a 12 hour clock, i.e. for 1 o
clock scratch out 1 and not 1 and 3.
Each scratchcard is valid for a maximum of 3 hours and you can only display one at a time. If
more than one scratchcard is displayed they will all be rendered invalid and a Penalty Charge
Notice (PCN) may be issued.
Providing your scratchcard is correctly displayed, you can park in any zone, on-street, for a
maximum of 3 hours in parking bays signed “Resident Permit Holders Only”, “Permit Holders
Only”, or “Permit Holders or Pay at Machine”.
A scratchcard is also valid on an Estate managed by Tower Hamlets Homes for parking in a
designated visitor’s bay for a maximum of 1 hour.
Where a Permit is Not Valid
Your scratchcard is not valid for parking in bays signed differently to those above. You should
also make sure you do not park in suspended bays regardless of whether or not the reason
for the suspension is apparent.
You should always check the signs close to the bay where you park to make sure you can
use it as a scratchcard is not valid in some resident bays which have been clearly signed "No
Public Service Permit"
Parking Controls
Parking controls are currently in place from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, but you
should also be aware that in some mini-zones these hours are extended. If you park without
a valid permit during controlled hours, or in a suspended bay, you may be issued with a
Penalty Charge Notice and your vehicle may be removed. You should always check where
your vehicle is parked each day to ensure that a suspension is not planned or in place (or
arrange for this to be done for you).
3. How to apply

Check that you meet the criteria in section 4

Complete the application at the back of this form
Version: 6 April 2015
4. Proof of eligibility

It is a Public Service Organisation or Charity

The applicant is directly employed by the public service organisation

The organisation requires scratchcards to carry out their day to day duties and for their
visitors

Payment is made with the company’s business card or cheque. If you are required to
use your own personal card (personal cheque not accepted) you must provide a letter
from your Finance or Human Resources Section dated within 28 days of your
application to explain why you are required to pay. In addition to this, you must also
provide your insurance certificate to show that you are covered for business use.
5. The cost of scratchcards and quota
A book of scratchcards cost £37. There are 10 scratchcards in a book and each card is valid
for a maximum of 3 hours.
6. Receiving your scratchcards - ALL SCRATCHCARDS ARE POSTED
You must allow up to 7 calendar days from the date your application is processed and they
will be sent by recorded delivery. If you do not receive them you must contact Tower Hamlets
Contact Centre immediately on 020 7364 5003.
7. Where and how to pay
In person at the following One Stop Shops - Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm - *open
Saturday from 9am -12.30pm
- Bethnal Green, 1 Rushmead (off Bethnal Green Road) E2 6NE*
- Bow & North Poplar, John Onslow House, 1 Ewart Place (off Roman Road) E3 5EQ
- South Poplar, 15 Market Square, Chrisp Street E14 6AQ
- Stepney & Wapping, Idea Store Watney Market, 260 Commercial Road, E1 2FB*
Payment must be made by a company debit or credit card (except American Express or
Diners Club card)
By post – Parking Permits, P.O. Box 62475, London E14 1GL
Only a business company cheque made payable to the ‘London Borough of Tower Hamlets’.
8. Change of details
If the applicant is no longer employed by the organisation or responsible for scratchcards a
new application must be made.
9. Fraud
The London Borough of Tower Hamlets has a duty to prevent fraudulent applications. If you
know of or suspect parking permit fraud, call 020 7364 6945 or email us on
parking.fraud@towerhamlets.gov.uk. All reports are treated in strictest confidence.
Version: 6 April 2015
10. Your Comments, Complaints and Compliments
Please contact the Corporate Complaints Team on telephone number 020 7364 4161 or visit
our website at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk.
11. Data Protection Statement
The information that you provide will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the
Data Protection Act 1998 and relevant legislation. This authority has a duty to protect the
public funds it administers, and may use information held about you for the prevention and
detection of fraud and other lawful purposes. This may include, but not be limited to,
matching Parking Permit data with Council Tax and Housing Benefit records. The Council will
also use the information for the purpose of performing any of its statutory enforcement duties.
It will make any disclosures required by law and may also share this information with other
bodies responsible for detecting/preventing fraud or auditing/administering public funds. We
will not disclose your information to third parties for marketing purposes.
Further information can be obtained from the “Data Protection” section of our website at
http://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk, or by e-mailing dataprotection@towerhamlets.gov.uk or by
contacting the Information Governance Manager, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, 6th
Floor, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London E14 2BG.
12. Parking Enquires
For general parking enquires please visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk, telephone Tower
Hamlets Contact Centre on 020 7364 5003 or send an email to:
generalenquiries@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
Version: 6 April 2015
Public Service Scratchcards
Application Form
Applicant’s Details
Please enter your full name as shown on your driving licence in a black or blue pen and
in capital letters.
Title
First Name
Middle Name
Last Name
Business Name
Business Address
Postcode
Contact No:
Enter the number of books and Cost
Number of
books @ £37
£
Cost
Please read and sign the Terms and Conditions overleaf
Official Use Only
Permit no.
P S C
Authorisation code
Officer First Name
Version: 6 April 2015
Terms and Conditions
1. The scratchcard must be displayed on the vehicle’s dashboard nearest to the pavement side, so that all the
details can be clearly seen from the outside of the vehicle.
2. To validate a scratchcard you must only scratch out one box in each section labelled Date, Hours, and
Minutes (time of arrival) and Month. Please note this is a 12 hour clock.
3. Only one scratchcard can be displayed within a vehicle at any given time. If more than one scratch card is
displayed they will be rendered invalid.
4. The scratchcard is only valid for a vehicle which does not exceed 2.3m (8’6”) in height or 5.2m (16’8”) in
length.
5. The scratchcard is valid for any vehicle registration number.
6. Providing the scratchcard is correctly displayed, you can park in any zone, on-street, for a maximum of 3
hours in parking bays signed “Resident Permit Holders Only”, “Permit Holders Only”, or “Permit Holders or
Pay at Machine”.
7. A scratchcard is not valid in resident bays which have been clearly signed "No Public Service Permit".
8. The scratchcard is also valid in a designated Visitors Bay on an Estate managed by Tower Hamlets Homes.
The controlled parking times on each estate may vary so you must comply with them.
9. The issue of a scratchcard does not guarantee the user a parking bay, nor does it render the Council
subject to any liability in respect of loss or damage to a vehicle in a parking bay, or to the contents or fittings
of any such vehicle.
10. The user must ensure that their vehicle is parked within the confines of each designated parking bay.
11. The scratchcards are valid for one year from the issue date.
12. Any alteration to a scratchcard will render it invalid and it will be cancelled along with any other scratchcards
your purchased. Subsequent applications may also be refused.
13. Any misuse of a scratchcard may result in the cancellation of scratchcards already issued; refusal to issue
new scratchcards and you may be issued with a penalty charge notice.
14. The scratchcards are not for resale. The council will investigate cases of suspected fraud and if proven will
result in the cancellation of scratchcards already issued, refusal to issue new scratchcards and/or issue of a
penalty charge notice.
15. Under no circumstances will a refund be given for any unused or damaged scratchcards.
16. Parking Services reserves the right to request at any time information and/or documentation to prove that
scratchcard holders continue to be eligible to receive them. In the event that the requested information is
not provided, the scratchcards will cease to be valid and a Penalty Charge Notice may be issued.
17. If the method used to pay for scratchcards is subsequently dishonoured, they must be surrendered within 48
hours of written notice being received.
18. The Council reserves the right to change the Terms and Conditions by giving the permit holder 28 days
written notice.
19. These scratchcards are issued subject to the relevant Traffic Management Orders of the London Borough of
Tower Hamlets and may be subject to change at a future date.
20. If you have any questions about using these scratchcards please telephone Tower Hamlets Contact Centre
on 0207 364 5003.
Applicant’s Declaration
I declare that the information and documentation I have provided is true and accurate. I understand
that the information provided may be used to prevent and detect fraud and that I could face
prosecution for making a false statement or declaration on this application. I understand that I may
only use the LBTH public service scratchcards strictly in accordance with the terms and conditions
above and that any deviation from this will render the scratchcards invalid.
DD
Signature
MM
Date
A COPY MUST BE GIVEN TO THE APPLICANT AFTER SIGNING
IF APPLYING BY POST KEEP A COPY OF THIS PAGE
Version: 6 April 2015
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