CONTRARY to Parkers' Watchdog's assertion (Letters, May 14) nothing has been "swept under the carpet" with regard to the inquiry into the recent controversy surrounding photographic evidence presented to the Parking Adjudicator.

Whilst the two NCP employees implicated have either resigned or been dismissed, NCP's final conclusions await the outcome of a police investigation. Once it is completed, NCP will be able to inform the council what safeguards it has put in place to ensure there is no repeat.

The council and its car parking service have gone out of their way to be open and "up front" on this issue. The environment and transport scrutiny panel is open to the press and public. In addition, public statements at council meetings and in the press have highlighted the local authority's demands of NCP to conclude investigations swiftly, and this is what is happening.

NCP is required to continually review its processes and staff training to demonstrate that it has in place robust systems and safeguards to ensure continuing public confidence. Needless to say, the council treats any such incidents with the utmost seriousness.

Whilst improvements have been put in place by NCP since this incident, the council will closely consider NCP's final report once the police have concluded their investigations. The public can be assured that the council will take whatever action is necessary.

With regard to Mr Abbott's query (Letters, May 14) about clock displays on meters, we have been assured by the suppliers of the parking equipment that random checks reveal that machines are correct to within one minute of the BBC radio clock and they are all automatically synchronised on a daily basis.

However, we will continue to carry out our own random tests and, as necessary, take action with the supplier to address any inaccuracies.

JOHN FOUDY,

parking services manager.