A to Z of Services

Paper - recycling

See 'Recycling'

Parking, incl. Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ)

Penalty notices, season tickets and permits are issued by the Council's parking enforcement contractor, VINCI Park UK (formerly Sureway Parking Services), and queries relating to these matters should be made to them.

Complaints about illegal parking, queries about parking enforcement policies and the issuing of penalty charge notices should still be referred to the Council's Parking Team.

Requests for new waiting restrictions (yellow lines) should be made to the Traffic and Road Safety Group. See 'Traffic'

Parks and open spaces

Information on the management of parks and open spaces, and details of policies relating to parks and open spaces and park furniture. The Highways and Amenities department is also responsible for the maintenance of Bexley's parks and open spaces. This includes the cutting of the grass, maintenance and planting of flower beds and gardens and maintenance of trees, wildlife areas, lakes and ponds.

For sports bookings of parks and open spaces contact 020 8303 7777 ext. 3617.

Pavement parking

Parking on pavements and verges is banned unless signs indicate otherwise and the Council's parking enforcement contractor regularly patrols and take action against illegally parked vehicles. Contact VINCI Park UK for enforcement action

Pavements

Rreport damaged, missing, stolen or broken paving that is in need of repair to Highways and Amenities.

Payments

You can make payments online on this web site for the following: Council Tax, Business Rates (NNDR - National Non-Domestic Rates), Parking Fines, Invoices, Mortgages, Commercial Rents and Housing Benefit Overpayments.

Pest control

Information about pest control and prevention. A charge is made for all treatments of Rats, Mice, Fleas, Bedbugs, Cockroaches, Pharaoh Ants, Ghost Ants and Wasps in domestic & commercial premises.

Physical Disability Services

Details can be found on the Council's web site.

Pitches - maintenance

See 'Sports'

Pitches and putting greens

Activities and facilities available in Bexley's parks and open spaces, including pitches and putting greens.

Planning appeals

You can appeal against a decision taken about a planning application.

Planning applications

If you are intending to carry out building work or change the use of any buildings/premises, you may need permission. Planning officers in Development Control are available to advise you.

The North area covers Barnehurst, Belvedere, Brampton, Christchurch, Colyers, Crayford, Erith, Lesnes Abbey, Northend, Northumberland Heath and Thamesmead East.

The South areas cover Blackfen, Blendon and Penhill, Cray Meadows, Danson Park, East Wickham, Falconwood, Lamorbey, Longlands, St.Mary's, St.Michael's, and Sidcup West.

Planning officers are normally not available between 10:30am and 3:30pm, when they undertake site visits and other duties which take them out of the office.

Planning Control Committee

If you are concerned about a planning application you should contact the case officer first. Many applications are determined by officers under delegated powers but comments from affected residents and businesses are an important consideration in making these decisions. Where an application is to be reported to the Planning Control Committee then there are arrangements for public speaking.

Playgrounds

Activities and facilities available in Bexley's parks and open spaces, including Playgrounds.

Playgroups / Pre-schools

Playgroups/pre-schools providing care for children on a sessional basis.

Pollution control

If you are having problems with air pollution from fumes, fires or other odours, contact Environmental Health who can investigate, on the number on the right.

Potholes

The Council tries to ensure that roads are kept free of potholes and will aim to repair reported potholes as quickly as possible.

Primary school - admissions

See 'Schools'.

Private streets

There is a number of roads within the borough that are known as 'private streets'. A private street has been interpreted to mean a street which has been formally named but is not maintained at public expense.

Procurement

The procurement function is divided into two teams. The Operational Team handles the placing of Orders on behalf of managers and pays related invoices. The Strategic Team is responsible for seeking new contract opportunities and for managing the tendering process.

Product safety

Concerns about any product that is for sale that you feel may not meet health and safety standards can be reported for investigation to Trading Standards.

Property enquiries

Businesses that may be looking to expand or re-locate in the borough, can be advised on the availability of suitable property by the Economic Development Unit. The Unit also keeps a Property Register.

Property-seeker service

If you are looking to move your business to new premises within the Borough of Bexley, the Council can help you with its property-seeker advice. Register your requirements with us and we will produce a list of available premises which match your needs, saving you the bother of contacting every commercial estate agent in the area. If you would like to register, please contact us using the details on the right.

Property services

For information on surplus Council-owned land and buildings available for sale or let, contact us via the details on the right. For more information about the full range of services we provide, including information about land within Council ownership please follow the link to our Web pages, which also provide downloadable particulars for property that is currently available.

PublicAccess

PublicAccess for planning is an Internet service that allows you to view details of planning applications (Development Control) currently being considered by London Borough of Bexley, as well as a history of past planning applications submitted since July 1987. You can monitor the progress of an application and make comments while it is being considered.

Public conveniences

The Council provides, maintains and cleans a number of public toilets.

Public relations

See 'Consultation & Communications Team'

Publications

Information about the Council's publications. Enquiries about items for possible inclusion or about advertising, contact the Communications Team.

Public transport

See 'Transport policies'

Pupil and Student Support

Parents may be entitled to help with some expenses associated with their child's attendance at school. All assistance is subject to annual review and applications should be made well in advance of the term in which the child is due to start school. The Team also administers financial support for certain students in Further and Higher Education.

Pupil Support (Clothing/uniform)

Assistance may be given to families living in Bexley Borough towards the cost of uniform and clothing.

Pupil Support (Free school meals)

Free school meals may be made available to children attending a Bexley Borough local authority maintained school.

If you have a query about the quality or content of school meals than please contact the school or London Borough of Bexley's Client Unit.

Pupil Support (Music grants)

Assistance may be available, to pupils who live in Bexley Borough and attend secondary schools maintained by the Local Authority, for tuition and theory costs of lessons or for pupils with exceptional talent.

Pupil Support (Travel assistance)

The Local Authority provides travel assistance, ususally in the form of free bus passes, to certain pupils who live in Bexley Borough and are travelling over an agreed specified distance to their nearest appropriate school/college within the Borough.

If you have a query regarding travel assistance for a pupil with special educational needs, please contact the 'Special Educational Needs Team'.

Pupil Support (Travel expenses for school pupils visiting Higher Education establishments)

Pupils attending university admission interviews or formal visits may be entitled to assistance with fares, meals and overnight accomodation.

Pupil Support (Post-16 support in schools)

The Government, through the Learning and Skills Council, has provided Local Authorities with a Learner Support Fund to provide financial assistance to pupils who remain in school beyond compulsory school age.

Pupil Support (Work experience)

Assistance may be given to families living in Bexley Borough to help with some expenses associated with costs of travel to work experience placements.