BARNET council accepts its failure to respond to the Labour London Assembly candidate for Barnet and Camden’s enquiries into hikes in parking charges.

Andrew Dismore used the Freedom of Information Act on July 20 to question the council’s consultation with residents before rolling out the changes.

The council increased parking permits for residents in controlled parking zones (CPZs) from £40 to £100, and visitor vouchers from £1 to £4.

A public authority has a legal obligation to respond to FoI requests and should do so within 20 working days.

But, 26 days since Mr Dismore filed the request, the council has not responded.

A council spokesperson, said: “The council acknowledges that on this occasion it has taken longer to process a Freedom of Information request than it should have done.

“The requestor will receive a full and comprehensive response next week. As with all FOI responses, if the requestor is unhappy with the service received they are entitled to ask for an internal review.”