Barnet council is to make permanent a scheme which allows those carrying out religious duties in the borough to park their vehicles within resident parking bays.
The scheme, believed to be the first in Britain, has been trialed by the borough since June 2008 since when 48 permits have been issued.
Costing £40 a year for the first permit with additional second or third permits registered at the same address costing £70, the permits were introduced as part of the council’s core priority to ‘support the vulnerable’, enabling religious and community leaders to access vulnerable residents in their own homes in times of spiritual need.
Council officials say they have drawn up “a rigorous set of criteria” to ensure the scheme complies with equality laws. All applicants must supply a letter of support from their place of worship, together with a brief description of the religious duties being carried out.
Councillor Andrew Harper, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport said: “As the only local authority in the United Kingdom to trial religious parking permits, I am delighted there has been such a positive response. By rolling the scheme out permanently the council aims to ensure those residents in their time of need will be able to obtain the comfort and care they require from their religious and community leaders.”
dave says
Any chance that useful people like plumbers and electricians will get similar recognition or could I become an atheist padre?
PJ says
The justification for resident’s parking is scarcity of space for, unsurprisingly, residents. Few people would begrudge giving up their alloted space for a doctor, nurse, fire engine ambulance or indeed anyone who is actually doing something useful, but why should preferencial treatment be given to pedalers of archaic superstition? Or is the resident’s parking scheme just an excuse to extract more money?
Martin H says
I am confused. What does this article mean by “parking” and “religious duties”? Does it mean parking during visits to residents who need some sort of religious intervention? Or are we talking about church activities with fellow church members organising fetes and jamborees.
I am not sure what the difference is between a cleric visiting a resident and any other invitee visiting a resident. From this article it sounds as if being anything other than a religous appointee puts you at a disadvantage.
Sam Berk says
Another example of religion being offered special privilege.
Is equal treatment before the law too much to ask for?
adygriff says
Hey it’s not like they are giving permits out so JW’s can go door knocking…. If my neighbour was ill or infirm and couldn’t get out to get some god time, then why not allow their priests come to them. Giving vicars parking rights to comfort a member of the community is the least we can do…
I don’t believe in god but it doesn’t stop me from believing in humanity and caring about the people around me.. I think they should offer this across the country especially where parking is difficult 🙂
Pete Moss says
God moves in mysterious ways, but She’ll only do house calls if you give Her a parking permit?
Can’t these religious bods walk/cycle/get a fellow believer to drop them off?