Agenda item

Report of the Transport and Infrastructure Section Head

The Panel received a report of the Transport and Infrastructure Section Head, including the 2015-2016 Annual Parking Enforcement Report.

The Parking Manager introduced the report and advised that the annual report was required under the Traffic Management Act in order to ensure transparency. The covering report provided an overview of work being undertaken by officers including details of the retendering process.

There was a discussion about the potential relocation of the parking shop.  It was envisaged that most of the services could be moved online.  Much of the footfall into the shop was for the purchase of visitor vouchers, and in future virtual vouchers would be available to purchase online.  A phased closure of the shop had been agreed by Leadership Team.  The exact timing of the potential move to the Town Hall was unclear as the lease expired before the contract ended.  Members of the public would be encouraged to use the self-service kiosks in the Town Hall, although officers would be available to assist if required.

It was noted that there had been a gradual increase in the number of penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued in the last few years.  Officers advised that there had been a general trend towards fewer PCNs being issued compared to pre-2012-13.  The introduction of further Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) had led to a slight increase but it was now levelling off.

In response to concerns raised about the differentiation between signage for pay and display bays and residents’ bays in certain parts of the Borough, it was agreed that the Traffic Engineer would contact the councillor concerned to consider the issue further. 

Members discussed the recent consultation with residents in Callowland about the possibility of introducing a CPZ.  It was noted that the proposals had been contentious in some areas and that some residents would like a CPZ to cover the early evening only.  The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Development drew a comparison with Oxhey where there had also been significant support for a scheme but greater opposition.  Should further consultations take place, there was a danger the residents would feel the council was attempting to impose a scheme. A limited scheme, such as the one suggested, could be possible but was unlikely to be imminent.

The Panel discussed the recent approaches to tackling blue badge fraud.  Officers explained that Operation Clamp used to be undertaken jointly with the Police and the Parking Shop every three months, depending on Police availability.  The operation was now run by the Fraud team alongside the Police.  Consideration was being given to using an external company to run the operations instead.  The company in question had a strong record of detecting fraudulent use of blue badges.  Cases would then be widely publicised as a deterrent.

Officers explained the reasons why a number of PCNs were written off each year.  These included a small number of foreign vehicles, where enforcement was not possible, and a larger number of persistent offenders who had failed to correctly register their vehicle with the DVLA.  Continuing the discussion, the reasons that the council lost appeals were outlined to the Panel which included an explanation of the processes by which cases went to appeal, when the council had sight of the appellant’s evidence and how the adjudicator came to a decision.

Considering the potential for including benchmarking information in the report, officers explained that the Traffic Penalty Tribunal no longer produced an annual report which was an important source of benchmarking data. Figures were difficult to come by and officers had had to submit Freedom of Information requests to other councils in the past.  Data from neighbouring authorities was available but not a useful comparison.  It was agreed that data from the previous year at comparable authorities could be included in future annual reports

Following a request, it was agreed that the breakdown of income by car park could be provided to the Panel.

Reviewing the cost of the contract in previous years, the query was raised about the increase in 2014/15 compared to other years.  Officers undertook to find out what accounted for this increase.

The use of town centre car parks by residents in the evening was proposed and officers confirmed that CitiParks were putting plans in place to make this available at Gade, Sutton and Church car parks. Councillors would be kept informed about progress.

The Portfolio Holder recorded his thanks to the officers in the parking shop for a very successful and well managed service.  Replies to queries were always detailed and logical demonstrating expertise and sensitivity. 

RESOLVED –

1.      that the Panel note the annual parking report.

2.      the actions requested be undertaken.