CODE 01 Medway Clover Street Chatham Delivering food for the Homeless

People do of course invent stuff to try and get out of PCNs but the idea that someone would fabricate a food delivery for the homeless to a church hall at Christmas really is Medway taking the mick.

If they'd asked nicely I expect you can produce an email and/or a witness statement from the organiser, which I guess we should have anticipated. You still can of course at this stage if you wish.

I wasn't sure from the OP's account whether he was just delivering food to the church or making a donation of food.

I see in reply #26 that the OP seems to be clearly saying that he was making a donation and not simply delivering.

I think it would be unreasonable of the LA to expect an invoice or any other sort of paperwork to support a donation.  People don't make charitable donations in the expectation of getting a receipt or some sort of written recognition.

Unfortunately the OP's representations don't make it clear that he was donating and not merely delivering.  I suspect the LA understands this to be some sort of normal delivery of goods purchased specifically for delivery to the church and that it can be evidenced by paperwork.

Does the OP need to spell out that it was a donation for which there is - obviously - no supporting documentation?

Duplicate post

OP, you posted the following before (I assume) you knew anything about the intricacies of process and what we sometimes find here which is that history gets rewritten by OPs in light of the exceptions and exemptions which we dangle in their way:

It was my first time dropping off food. I was on my own. I did two trips from my car to the centre. There was a bit of delay when I went in initially as they were just about to start  sharing and the centre was already full with homeless people. They also transferred the hot food to their own container which took some time. They were expecting  me but the time wasn’t confirmed. We had a window to drop off the food during which they can make the re-distribution  We were making a personal voluntary contribution.  We bought discounted and yellow sticker items from the supermarket ( some receipts available) friends and family donated items and the rest was home-made food. There was no paperwork / invoice as it was a personal /family gift  donation because of the good work The centre was are doing. Majority of the homeless people that hang around the high street go there to get hot food.  As a family we regularly buy discounted / yellow sticker items to a give to Homeless individuals including AMAT Residents in Chatham, guys hanging around in the town centre or supermarket entrances begging, struggling parents, single parents, elderly or struggling neighbours who have lost their Job loss or sick etc. It’s just helping the community. I have old text message offering food to struggling people and neighbours.

There's only one credible story here, and it's yours.

Carry on, in which regard I refer to my last post.

Thanks, HCA. Brilliant email response as always!

Just a quick check—do you think your no-nonsense response might put their backs up and make them say, “Let’s go to the independent adjudicator”?

I was just being sarcastic, not getting worked up or playing along with their ridiculous game and bullying tactics. It’s clear they realized their initial rejection was wrong and were just talking nonsense—now they’re trying it on again.

I’ll reply to the email as per your draft and maybe just add that this is a donation (free of charge), so there is no associated invoice or delivery note.

Whatever you feel comfortable with.

Thanks, HCA. Your response was brilliant.
After rethinking, I believe it’s both appropriate and necessary.
Given the way they are acting, this type of response seems to be the only language they will understand. I used your draft and reiterated that this was a free charitable donation, so no supporting documentation exists.
I hope this is okay and gets the message across effectively.
This is what I intend to send over—let me know if it works.


Thank you for your email dated 26 March 2025.

I believe that the authority's misunderstanding of the law should not be imposed on keepers and drivers conducting their legitimate business.
I was delivering free home-cooked food for the homeless, and as this was a charitable donation, there is no associated documentation such as an invoice or delivery note or thank you note etc.

Please process my representations as submitted. If you choose to reject them, an adjudicator will have the opportunity to thoroughly examine the matter and assess the actions and decision-making within your organisation."

Link to NoR received

For convenience:




Words fail me!!!

They want a fight over this and this zero tolerance attitude is wholly wrong under the law given loading is an exemption to the contravention. It is not a no stopping zone.

You need to register an appeal with the tribunal and hopefully you can opt for a telephone hearing as you need to tell the adjudicator you were engaged in exempt activity and there were no restriction on loading on Sunday.

I still think a statement from the organiser would have helped as the council could then have been held to have dismissed it (if they did).

Thanks

Appeal Lodged with FOAM ITPT

Plus hot food too... Says 5pm but you were there only a bit before.

Thanks posting this. Appreciated.


That's the time on the website but as you will appreciate the website is not always up to date.

Receiptants were already in the hall and they had already started distribution & serving when I arrived.

Just something you could show to the adjudicator maybe.

Thanks