CONCERNS have been raised about the number of illegally parked council vehicles.

Conservative Cllr Graham Sinclair has asked environment cabinet member Cllr Bob Belam how many penalty charge notices (PCNs) have been issued against council employees and what action was taken.

Cllr Sinclair said he had seen council vehicles parked on yellow lines outside cafes and had received complaints from constituents about the issue.

In response it was confirmed that Since 2004 the council has issued 834 PCNs to the drivers of council vehicles registered to the authority's Low Hall Depot in Leyton.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Belam, cabinet member for environment, said: “The council takes a very dim view of its own vehicles parking illegally when not on duty.

“There are occasions were council vehicles need to park in restricted areas to carry out their duties and this is monitored where possible.

“If a council vehicle receives a parking ticket the relevant section would have to appeal in the normal way and if it is found that the ticket is valid then the individual officer is liable.”

He urged councillors to contact the council if they spot illegally parked vehicles driven by the authority.