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Item 8

Report to
Public Protection Policy Development and
Review Panel

Date: 26 May 2009

Report of: Director of Regulatory Services

Subject: ANNUAL REPORT ON FAREHAM PARKING ENFORCEMENT


SERVICE

SUMMARY

This report provides members with an update in respect of the last twelve months'
operation of the Fareham Parking Enforcement Service.

RECOMMENDATION

Members' views and comments are sought on the service prior to the report being
presented to the Executive.

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INTRODUCTION

1. The Fareham Parking Enforcement Service covers the management and


enforcement of both on and off-street parking throughout the Borough. The
service aims to discourage indiscriminate parking that causes obstruction to
other motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and people with disabilities. This will
ensure that the Borough remains accessible to all, equally and safely. The
service is delivered by Council staff and consists of two distinct areas: office
staff that deal with the processing and management of the parking enforcement
process; and a team of Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs).

2. Responsibility for the delivery of the Fareham Parking Enforcement Service,


which includes the day-to-day functions of maintaining the car parks and
equipment; and also includes the responsibility for the procurement of CCTV,
Pay on Foot and Pay and Display equipment, lies with the Department of
Regulatory Services and falls within the Public Protection Portfolio.

3. The service is also delivered in line with the Fareham Parking Enforcement
Policy that has recently been updated and was reported to and approved by the
Executive at its meeting on 6 April 2009. The Policy sets out the main
principles for enforcement associated with the delivery of this service. The
policy itself is publicised on the Council’s web pages and is available to
members of the public and sets out the approach of the Council in the
enforcement of both on and off-street parking.

4. The following provides an update on the progress that has been made during
the previous twelve months of this service.

STAFFING

5. There is one team of Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs), who enforce the
Parking Regulations and Traffic Regulation Orders both on and off-street. They
also enforce verge parking, residents’ parking and traffic management issues,
such as around schools. The opportunity has been taken for the CEOs to
undertake other enforcement activities whilst on patrol in the district, such as
issuing Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for littering as an example. The CEOs
have been authorised to issue FPNs and are now carrying out this function.
However, their primary role is the issuing of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) on
vehicles contravening Parking Regulations, with the objective that this
regulatory enforcement function will be undertaken at a minimum cost to the
Council. Income from PCNs is used to cover the cost of the on-street
enforcement service. Government guidelines include the objective that no cost
should fall onto the Council taxpayers in the delivery of the enforcement service.

6. In addition, the CEOs report other enforcement related issues that may affect
the street scene or adjoining areas, for example, abandoned vehicles, fly-
tipping, graffiti, vandalism and damage and other environmental defacement
and related issues whilst on patrol. This complements the work being
undertaken by the Council in developing a ‘zero tolerance' approach to these
issues. This is facilitated by the Parking Enforcement Service and the
Enforcement Team responsible for dealing with such issues. The officers of
both services are all in the same team under the Parking and Enforcement
Team Manager.
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7. An initial establishment of 19.3 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) posts was put in


place to deliver the Parking Enforcement Service. This included all the back
office staff who deal with issued PCNs and the challenges that are received.

8. As a result of the implementation of Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004


(TMA), all the titles of the original Parking Attendants were changed to Civil
Enforcement Officers in accordance with the requirements of the Act. A report
was presented to both the Public Protection Review Panel and the Executive at
their meetings on 8 January 2008 and 4 February 2008 respectively that set out
the effect of the TMA and its implications for the Fareham Parking Enforcement
Service. Since the service commenced on 2 April 2007 there have also been
changes in the working rota; whereas previously there were only 2 Deputy
Supervisors looking after 4 teams of CEOs, there are now 3 Supervisors looking
after 3 teams (1 Supervisor per team), see Appendix A. This also enabled the
Parking Enforcement Supervisor to come out of the rota system and provide
better continuity in overseeing the day-to-day work of the service, as well as
providing more flexibility within the teams, allowing more coverage throughout
the Borough during busy periods, including evenings and weekends.

9. Three of the Civil Enforcement Officers are also on temporary one year
contracts, to provide a contingency in respect of managing the risk associated
with ensuring that this service does not become an unacceptable cost to the
Council. During the past year, 2 CEOs have left and the opportunity was taken
to review the work of the Team. A decision was taken not to replace the 2
CEOs' posts but to use the funding from these posts to outsource the cash
collection arrangements that were undertaken by the CEOs. This proposal was
reported to and approved by the Executive on 6 April 2009.

10. All the CEOs have been trained to appropriate City and Guilds standards by an
external trainer and have recently been provided with training on the new
provisions associated with the TMA that came into effect on 31 March 2008.

11. When the introduction of decriminalised parking was considered and agreed by
the Council, it was agreed that the increase in the establishment of officers
required in carrying out parking enforcement would be undertaken on a phased
basis. The maximum number of staff required had been estimated to be 23.1
FTEs in respect of the enforcement of regulations, in order to meet the
demands of the addition of the on-street enforcement responsibility. The
decision to expand the team will be made on the level of enforcement work
required and the cost of undertaking this function. At this point in time it is
recommended that no additional resources are required.

12. All the Civil Enforcement Officers are properly and prominently identified as
Fareham Borough Council employees and CEOs by badges and/or wording on
their uniforms.

13. The introduction of Fareham Parking Enforcement has achieved a standardised


and consistent approach to enforcement now that the Council is responsible for
both on and off-street enforcement.

14. The Chief Planning and Transportation officer developed a Fareham Town
Centre Parking Strategy which was adopted by the Executive in July 2008. The
Strategy considers the availability and management of the Council's off-street
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car parks and of on-street parking in Fareham town centre and includes a series
of policies and actions.

15. The actions arising from the adopted strategy are being implemented. The
structure of car park charging and flexibility of season tickets has been reviewed
and changes made for the benefit of users and to enable better management of
the Councils car parks. In addition a residential parking review is under way
with implementation anticipated to be completed by the summer of 2010.
Consultation on detailed proposals is due to start next month.

COMBINATION OF THE FAREHAM PARKING ENFORCEMENT AND


ENFORCEMENT TEAMS

16. As part of introducing decriminalised parking enforcement the opportunity was


also taken to review some of the enforcement functions, management and
services provided by the Department of Regulatory Services that could give
further added value and efficiencies. To this effect the Parking Enforcement
Service and the Enforcement Team were brought together under one manager.

17. The benefit of this has been a more unified enforcement team that has one
manager. This has also delivered efficiency savings and a more co-ordinated
approach to enforcement where officers could be further developed to take on
additional enforcement responsibilities as appropriate and when the opportunity
arises.

18. The post of Fareham Parking and Enforcement Manager was created by
combining both the previous Parking Enforcement and Enforcement Team
managers’ posts. This post has overall responsibility for the operation of the
Fareham Parking Enforcement service as well as the enforcement of
abandoned vehicles, unauthorised encampments, littering, fly-tipping, dog
fouling, graffiti and other envirocrimes where appropriate. This service is now
known as the Parking and Enforcement Service. Further efficiencies were also
achieved when the officer dealing with abandoned vehicles and gypsies left. A
decision was made not to replace this post and these functions were picked up
by the existing Enforcement Officers and a county-wide contract entered into for
the removal of abandoned vehicles. The structure of this service is shown in
Appendix A.

19. The Parking and Enforcement Manager provides an overall co-ordinating role to
ensure the service is delivered at minimal cost to the Council in an efficient,
effective and co-ordinated way and is responsible for providing regular
performance monitoring reports. There are clear similarities in the work that
these two teams provide that will build upon the uniformed presence within the
Borough and the joint approach to enforcement that is required.

20. The post is supported by the three supervisor posts, the Parking Enforcement
Supervisor Post, the Parking Office Supervisor and an Enforcement Supervisor
post. All the Supervisor posts support the Parking and Enforcement Manager in
undertaking his duties and responsibilities for the overall management and
delivery of the service.

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PATROLS

21. At any one time Monday to Saturday (excluding Tuesdays), there are two teams
of three officers plus one or two Supervisors on duty. On Sundays there is a
team of three officers, also with a Supervisor, on duty. This has enabled the
new Sunday Charges to be introduced at no additional cost to the Council in
terms of patrolling. On Sundays the emphasis is on the town centre but 'hot
spot' areas are also targeted as required.

22. Monday to Saturday one team works within the town centre area to operate pay
on foot, CCTV, and patrol the town centre car parks and the immediate on-
street areas. The officers also provide operational cover for the multi-storey car
park lifts if there is a requirement to attend in an emergency. The other team is
mobile, and patrols the areas outside the town centre across the Borough. The
Borough itself has been divided into 15 zones and each zone receives a patrol
at least twice a week, with more frequent visits being made to schools and
known ‘hot spots’ to ensure the safe use of the highway. The CEOs also carry
out evening patrols where there are known and reported 'hot spots' in the
Borough in order to discourage illegal parking and serve PCNs where required
to those contravening parking regulations and orders.

23. There has also been joint working/patrolling with the local Police and Police
Community Support Officers (PCSOs), especially outside schools during busy
periods. This has proved very effective in deterring parents waiting on
restricted areas of roads, and will continue on a regular basis and link in with
school travel plans. In addition the Chief Planning and Transportation Officer is
progressing Traffic Regulation Orders to enable the CEO’s to enforce school
keep clear markings. These should be in place for the new school year in the
autumn.

24. Complaints from residents and Members regarding contraventions and problem
areas are brought to the attention of the parking services team and these are
included as part of their patrols, to check and, where necessary, enforce.
These reports are included on a 'hot spot' list that is kept under regular review.

25. In addition, the Civil Enforcement Officers also pass on details of areas where
there are parking issues that impact upon the safe use of the highway and
these are investigated by officers within the Planning and Transportation
Department.

26. In order to provide a corporate and co-ordinated approach to the management


of the service, a Fareham Parking Operations Group has been set up that
meets on a monthly basis to address any operational issues to ensure the
service is delivered in an efficient and effective manner.

FAREHAM PARKING ENFORCEMENT POLICY

27. The Enforcement Policy is reviewed annually and a report was presented to the
Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel at its meeting on
3 March 2009, with amendments as required by the Traffic Management Act
2004 and the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, which was then presented to, and
approved by, the Executive at its meeting on 6 April 2009. It sets out the main
principles for enforcement associated with the delivery of this service.
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28. The policy itself is publicised on the Council’s web pages and is available to
members of the public and sets out the approach of the Council in the
enforcement of both on and off-street parking.

29. The policy is reviewed at least annually but will also be amended as appropriate
to take account of any issues that arise from the enforcement of the regulations
or matters relating to the delivery of the service.

30. Following the report to the Public Protection Policy Development and Review
Panel on 3 March 2009 it was recommended to the Executive that the Planning
and Transportation Policy Development and Review Panel review the
arrangements for disabled parking. This is being undertaken as part of a review
of the operation of the car park Pay on Foot system and the arrangements for
disabled parking in the Borough.

31. In accordance with the Traffic Management Act 2004 statutory Guidance
section 42, Civil Enforcement Officers must wear a uniform which shows that
the wearer is specifically identified as being on parking duties; the name of the
Council and the CEO’s unique identification number and identity badge. All of
the Council’s CEOs conform to this guidance.

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT ACT 2004

32. As reported to the Panel at its meeting on 8 January 2008, the Department of
Transport (DFT) brought into force its Civil Enforcement of Parking
Contraventions General Regulations 2004 on 31 March 2008. These were
implemented within the Borough without any problems.

33. The objective of part 6 of the Traffic Management Act (TMA) is to make parking
enforcement more transparent and for there to be greater consistency
throughout the Country, at the same time allowing parking policies to be made
to suit local circumstances.

Enforcement of dropped kerb and double parking prohibitions

34. Under Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act (TMA) local authorities are now
also able to enforce contraventions of parking alongside dropped kerbs or
double parking. Following a consultation exercise the Government has
amended the Regulations so that they now allow local authorities to use these
powers without traffic signs or road markings. These new powers come into
effect on 1 June 2009 and it is recommended that the enforcement policy is
updated accordingly to highlight that, where appropriate and necessary, PCNs
will be issued for such contraventions.

TRAFFIC REGULATION AND VERGE PARKING ORDERS

35. The making of Traffic Regulation and Verge Parking Orders falls under the
responsibility of the Planning and Transportation Portfolio and is administered
by officers within the Department of Planning and Transportation.

36. Fareham Borough Council is unique in the county in the way that it has dealt
with parking on grass verges. The Council has been introducing Prohibition of

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Driving and Parking on Grass Verges for approximately nine years. The
Council initially prioritised nine phases identifying roads that require TROs and it
has been able to introduce up to and including phase seven. The cost of
implementing the number of roads identified in the phases is prohibitive and the
introduction of these types of Orders does not meet the prioritisation criteria for
a TRO. For this reason no verge parking orders were implemented in the
2007/08 financial year.

37. The Hampshire County Council (HCC) budget allocation for the implementation
of TROs is insufficient to meet the demand for Orders prohibiting parking on
grass verges throughout the Borough. When assessed against the agreed
criteria the introduction of such Orders is unlikely to be a priority.

38. The waiting list, including the two unfinished phases, is extensive and requests
for these types of restrictions, as well as requests for restriction on pavement
parking, are often raised by residents during CATs meetings and verge parking
is obviously an issue that Fareham Borough residents are keen to see resolved.

39. The Executive considered the Traffic Management Programme for 2009/10 at
its meeting in April 2009 which included an update on verge parking. A more
economical means of addressing verge parking problems through a Traffic
Regulation Order have not been identified although officers are keeping the
situation under review

PENALTY CHARGE NOTICES (PCNS) ISSUED

40. The Penalty Charge in the Borough was originally set at £60 but, as a result of
the changes introduced by the TMA, has been set at a higher tariff of £70 for
the more serious contraventions and £50 for the less serious contraventions.
The penalties and contraventions are detailed in the Parking Enforcement
Policy reported to and approved by the Executive at its meeting on 6 April 2009.
The Charge Level is discounted by 50% for payment within a minimum of 14
days, and will be incremented by 50% on issue of a Charge Certificate.
Following rejection of an initial informal challenge or under certain
circumstances, such as a formal representation, the Borough Council will offer a
further 14 days for the payment of a Penalty Charge Notice at the discounted
rate.

41. The PCNs are issued by the CEOs using computerised hand-held ticket issuing
devices and the PCN affixed to the vehicle or handed to the driver. These units
store the complete list of roads and off-street car parks, together with the list of
contravention codes and offences.

42. Where the CEO is prevented from serving a PCN to a vehicle or the person, as
a result of physical force or the driver driving away, it is now possible to serve
the PCN by post. This is known as a Regulation 10 Penalty Charge Notice and
22 of these notices were issued this financial year.

43. When issuing a PCN the vehicle type, colour, location and contravention
description are entered by a selection from a drop down menu, and these
details are printed on a paper notice by a printer unit linked by blue tooth
technology.

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44. Every time a PCN is issued photographs are taken of the vehicle showing the
Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM), and the nature of the contravention. The
photograph(s) must also show the PCN actually stuck to the vehicle
windscreen. Photographs are taken with a digital camera giving high quality
images which may be enlarged to show the smallest detail. For example the
details from a vehicle excise licence. Although the taking of photographs is not
a legal requirement, it is considered best practice and aids evidence.

45. At the end of the patrol the CEO plugs the hand-held unit into a download
‘cradle’ and the PCN issue information is automatically downloaded into the
‘Chipside’ parking enforcement system. The camera memory card is also
downloaded in a similar fashion, and the photographs taken are automatically
linked to the relevant PCN record.

46. The recovery process therefore commences automatically from the day after
issue.

47. Payments taken at the Civic Offices are also transferred on a daily basis and
are automatically linked to the relevant PCN, providing the correct PCN number
is entered by the payer.

48. Payments which do not find their correct record are manually linked by one of
the back office Parking Support Officers.

49. The work of administering the parking function in relation to PCN processing is
undertaken by the Parking Office Team and managed by the Parking Office
Supervisor. This team is located at the Civic Offices and is responsible for the
receipt of payments, the processing of Notices and Charge Certificates, and for
dealing with all correspondence and challenges in response to the issue of
PCNs, as well as the issue of all parking permits.

50. The team also deals with subsequent stages of correspondence relating to
PCNs, including handling representations, dealing with cases and preparation
of files called for by the adjudicator, dealing with cases which the Authority
wishes to pursue to the County Court, and any subsequent action, which
includes issuing a warrant for the Bailiffs to take recovery action on behalf of
Fareham Borough Council, and any subsequent civil court hearing. Previously
the Council had to pursue the non payment of Standard Charge Notices (SCNs)
through the Magistrates' Court; however, because of decriminalised parking,
non payment of PCNs is pursued as a civil debt at no cost to the Council. Since
the introduction of decriminalised parking the Council has received £22,000
which may otherwise not have been achieved.

51. Representations from those who have been issued with PCNs can be received
and dealt with in writing or via e-mail, responses to which are dealt within
corporate and legal guidelines which are set out in the TMA 2004.

52. The Council utilises an up to date ICT system (Chipside) to support the above
service and uses appropriate interfaces to external organisations including the
DVLA, the County Court and the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.

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53. It is possible for members of the public to pay their PCNs in a variety of ways:

by post to the Director of Finance and Resources;


through an automated telephone system on a number identified on the
PCN by way of credit or debit card payment;
in person by cash, postal order, cheque, credit or debit card at the Cash
Office at the Civic Offices , Fareham;
through an existing automated telephone system on Fareham Borough
Council’s switchboard by way of credit or debit card;
through the existing automated system on Fareham Borough Council’s
'Pay It' website by way of credit or debit card;
the parking office may also take payments by telephone directly onto
M.O.T.O (Mail Order Telephone Order).

Ticket Machine Maintenance

54. The Council is responsible for 46 car parks in the Borough. Within the town
centre, charges are made for the use of the Council's 18 off-street car parks.
The Department of Planning and Transportation is responsible for setting the
Council's charging policy and major car park maintenance; however, the
maintenance of the cash and ticket machines is undertaken by the Parking and
Enforcement Team within the Department of Regulatory Services.

Pay and Display

55. There are currently 17 Pay and Display machines within the town centre car
parks. These machines are now old and obsolete and a replacement
programme has been put in place over the next five years to replace the
existing metric autoslot machines with more updated machines (calc bri parc).
Six machines have already been replaced in the financial year 08/09; three
more machines have been delivered and will be installed in June 2009. The
remaining eight old metric machines will then be replaced over the coming three
years at three per year with two in the final year.

Pay on Foot

56. The Council operates a Pay on Foot system in both the Market Quay and
Osborn Road Multi-Storey car parks. Within these car parks are a total of 11
pay machines and 9 entry/exit terminals together with associated barriers which
need to be maintained at all times. In order to ensure all equipment is kept in
working order, maintained, and disruption kept to a minimum should any
breakdowns occur, the Council has entered into a 12 month maintenance
contract with Designa UK Ltd, the original supplier of the equipment.

57. The Department of Planning and Transportation is at present undertaking a


review of the Pay on Foot car parks.

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FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

FEASIBILITY STUDY AND FINANCIAL MODEL

58. The introduction of decriminalised parking enforcement, once set up and


running, is intended to be self-financing. Consultants who had undertaken the
implementation of decriminalised parking in many other local authorities were
employed by the Council. The introduction of the service in Fareham was
based upon the consultants’ feasibility study and financial model. This used
assumptions for implementation based on an initial establishment, but reference
is made to increasing the establishment, potentially, up to the maximum
establishment identified in the initial feasibility study, to allow for flexibility in
implementation. However, the first two years operation of the service has
enabled officers to review the assumptions made in the consultants' original
model and these are now being used to project the costs and likely income
associated with delivering this service.

59. The role of the Civil Enforcement Officers is to manage parked vehicles to avoid
safety or congestion issues. Whilst doing this, PCNs will be issued and the
income from these will determine whether an increase in establishment from the
minimum up to the maximum can be justified on a self-financing basis. A
phased approach is recommended to ensure that the service is delivered
effectively, but also so that once the operation has been established it is self-
financing. It is proposed that the establishment will be monitored closely and
increased as necessary and as demonstrated by a business case, up to the
maximum establishment if required.

PERFORMANCE

60. The service has now been running for 2 years and the performance is being
compared to the assumptions and profiles contained in the consultants’
feasibility and financial model, the details of which were reported to and
approved by the Executive as part of the implementation of the service.
Graph 1 highlights the number of PCNs that the consultants' model projected
should be issued against the actual number that were.

61. However, these assumptions have proved to be optimistic and the figures of the
past two years are being used to review current and future performance. This is
based upon the initial establishment and the level of enforcement undertaken
prior to the introduction of decriminalised parking. It is important to note that the
enforcement is carried out in line with the Council's approved Parking
Enforcement Policy and also responds to complaints of illegal parking and
contravention of the Traffic Regulation Orders received by the Council. The
number of PCNs issued in order to deliver the required income to cover the cost
of delivering the service has been reviewed in light of the last 2 years
performance and a projection made of the number for 2009/10.

62. Graph 2 of Appendix B indicates the amount of correspondence that the back
office team is dealing with in respect of delivering the service, addressing
queries, challenges and representations received.

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63. The service is delivered in line with the Parking Enforcement Policy and as such
anyone has the opportunity to challenge a Penalty Charge Notice. A challenge
is the initial letter of appeal; this is known as an informal challenge, which will be
answered by the Council. Further consideration of an unresolved dispute
includes a representation by the owner of the vehicle. A representation is part
of the formal procedure, the next stage of which can be an appeal to an
Independent Adjudicator, at the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. (www.patrol-uk.info)
Graph 3 of Appendix B shows the number of cancellations made and reasons
why.

64. The main reasons for the cancellations are due to valid and acceptable reasons
being accepted as part of the appeal and representation process, valid tickets
being produced and blue badges not being displayed, or displayed correctly. It
had been the decision of the Executive that if a PCN was served on the holder
of a Blue Badge and an appeal was received, then the appeal would be
accepted with advice and the PCN cancelled. The Enforcement Policy has been
updated and was presented to the Executive on 6 April 2009, where it was
decided that all PCNs served on Blue Badge Holders will now not automatically
be cancelled on appeal but would now be dealt with on their merits.

65. Graph 4 of Appendix B shows actual income against the projected income
contained in the consultants’ financial model for the last year of operation. As
can be seen, the income has not exceeded that contained in the model for both
on and off-street enforcement. The income generated from the on-street
enforcement did not cover the cost of providing the service in the first year but
this was predicted and has been budgeted for.

66. Graph 5 shows that the Council recovers 75% of income from PCNs issued
compared with the National average of 68%. The high recovery rate reflects
that PCNs are being correctly issued, supported by an efficient back office that
makes use of technology including digital photos to address any
representations and appeals received.

67. Fareham Borough Council also employs a Bailiff company which recovers
unpaid PCNs for the Council. To date it has recovered just under £22,000 at no
cost to the Council.

68. In addition, since August 2007 officers, in undertaking their parking enforcement
duties, have taken and passed the details of 185 vehicles that were not
displaying valid road tax discs on to the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency
(DVLA) for enforcement action.

69. A summary table highlighting the performance of the service is attached as


Appendix C.

ON-STREET ENFORCEMENT
70. In order to monitor the provision of the parking enforcement service, the budget
for parking has been split between on and off-street enforcement. Table 1 in
Appendix D indicates the on-street enforcement budget for 2008/09 and the
base budget for 2009/10.

71. The £58,832 Grant and Reimbursement represents £12,251 set-up costs from
Hampshire County Council, with the remainder being made up from Fareham’s
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Balances. As such, the Council has subsidised the introduction and operation
of the on-street enforcement service during the second year of operation by
£46,581. Originally on-street enforcement was subsidised by approximately
£158,000 during its first year, this has now been reduced by over £111,000 to
£46,581; a reduction of 67%.70%.

72. The challenge facing the service is to continue to drive this deficit down with the
objective of making it as far as is practicable self-financing. To this effect
officers are looking at ways of further reducing costs, whilst at the same time
ensuring the correct level of enforcement is being achieved. However, what
also needs to be acknowledged is the additional income from the PCNs issued
in the off-street car parks and the increased income generated through parking
charges that should also be taken into account when arriving at the real cost of
the parking enforcement service.

OFF-STREET ENFORCEMENT

73. In the same context, whilst the on-street service is currently operating at a
deficit, the income from the enforcement in off-street car parks has generated
income from the PCNs issued of £99,887, against a revised budget of £110,000
but estimated to be £38,000 in the consultants’ model. Table 2 in Appendix D
indicates the off-street enforcement budget for 2008/09 and the base budget for
2009/10.

74. Total income from parking charges for 2008/09 was £2,207,859 against a
budget of £2,228,000. This figure is up on the previous year by nearly
£199,000.

75. Some of this increase is due to revised parking charges which took effect from 1
October 2008but, based on out-turn figures, this would have amounted to
approximately two thirds of the increase, which would suggest the rest of the
increase is due to more people using the car parks, which could be viewed as
the impact of on-street parking enforcement resulting in more cars moving from
the streets into car parks. Therefore it could be argued that on-street
enforcement has lead to an increase of £66,000 in car park income.

COST OF ENFORCEMENT FUNCTION

76. The cost of the enforcement function is shown in Appendix D. After the first year
of operation Officers set realistic budget targets based on the actual during year
1. This moved away from taking the figures from the consultants' model which
were proving to be unrealistic in their estimation of the number and rate at
which PCNs would be issued. The budgeted deficit at the start of the 2008/09
financial year was almost £114,000 but this was reduced to £77,200 at revised
stage and the actual deficit for the year has come in below that figure at
£46,581.

77. The revised budget figure compared with actual income from PCNs for both on-
street and off-street is shown in a graph 6 at Appendix D.

78. The projections for the coming year in terms of the income required to cover the
cost of providing the service is shown in graph 7 of Appendix D.

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CONTRAVENTIONS

79. A breakdown of the type of contraventions for which PCNs have been issued for
both on and off-street is attached at Appendix E and highlights the main
contraventions for off-street as no ticket displayed, parked after expiry of ticket,
parked beyond markings/outside bay, no disabled badge shown, and exceeding
maximum stay. The main contributions for on-street are parked on yellow lines,
parked for longer than permitted and incorrect vehicles parked in specific areas.

RISK ASSESSMENT

80. An assessment of risks and opportunities associated with this matter is attached
at Appendix F.

THE WAY FORWARD

81. Officers are constantly reviewing existing working arrangements and practices
to ensure best use is made of the resource to deliver the service objectives as
well as enforcing the regulations. This also needs to be closely monitored given
the need to minimise the current on-street deficit in delivering this service.

82. The first 2 years of the service have gone well. In addition, during the first year
both the parking and enforcement services have been combined under a single
manager to give economies and efficiencies in service delivery. Further, those
new provisions of the Traffic Management Act that came into effect on 31 March
2008 have also been successfully implemented.

83. However, it is important to acknowledge that the on-street enforcement service


has had a direct effect off-street, reflected in more vehicles using the Council’s
car parks with a consequential increase in income. In addition, more income
has been generated through enforcement within the Council’s car parks than
was previously estimated in the consultants' model.

84. It is also important not to forget that the objective of the Parking Enforcement
Service is to provide a higher profile enforcement regime to achieve the service
objectives contained in the service plan and Enforcement Policy and this is
being done. This obviously comes at a cost and performance is continually
being monitored and reviewed in order to keep the costs to the Council of
undertaking the on-street enforcement function at a minimum.

85. The current arrangements will also enable the introduction of measures arising
from the residential parking review currently being progressed by the Chief
Planning and Transportation Officer. Residents will be consulted on proposals
in June this year and members early in 2010 with a projected implementation of
summer.

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Background Papers:
Report to Executive 4 September 2006 - Implementation of Fareham Parking
Enforcement
Report to Executive February 2007 – Parking Enforcement Policy
Report to Executive 2 April 2007 Fareham Parking Enforcement Service Plan
Reports to the Public Protection Review Panel and Planning and Transportation
Review Panel – January 2008 Implications of the Traffic Management Act -
Implications for Fareham Parking Enforcement Service
Report to Executive 4 February 2008 Implications of the Traffic Management Act -
Implications for Fareham Parking Enforcement Service
Report to Public Protection Review Panel 4 March 2008 Fareham Parking
Enforcement – Enforcement Policy
Report to Executive 7 April 2008 Fareham Parking Enforcement Policy
Report to Executive 6 April 2009 Fareham Parking Enforcement Policy

Reference Papers:
None.

Enquiries:
For further information on this report please contact Kevin Wright (Ext 4359).

Civic Offices
Civic Way
Fareham
PO16 7AZ

www.fareham.gov.uk

For enquiries to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, visit: www.patrol-uk.info

Appendix A - Fareham Parking Enforcement Service


Appendix B - Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) - Information
Appendix C - Performance Summary of Fareham Parking Enforcement Service
Appendix D - Budgetary Information
Appendix E - Details of Parking Contraventions
Appendix F - Risk Assessment

ppp-090526-r01-kwr.doc
APPENDIX A

PARKING & ENFORCEMENT MANAGER


RC008

PARKING OFFICE SUPERVISOR CIVIL ENFORCEMENT SUPERVISOR ENFORCEMENT TEAM SUPERVISOR ENV HEALTH ENFORCEMENT OFFCR
RC009 RC011 RC014 RC016

PARKING SUPPORT OFFICER CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFF TEAM LD CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFF TEAM LD CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFF TEAM LD ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
Note: This post to
RC010 RC012 RC012 RC012 RC015 be deleted
PARKING SUPPORT OFFICER ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
RC010 RC015
CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
RC013 RC013 RC013 RC013
PARKING SUPPORT OFFICER
RC010
CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
RC013 RC013 RC802 RC013
PARKING SUPPORT OFFICER
RC010
CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
RC013 RC802 RC802

Note: Vacant posts to be


used to fund cash
collection arrangements

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APPENDIX B

Graph 1 – PCN Issues/Projected Issues (08/09) as at 31/03/09

Graph 2 – Correspondence In/Out (08/09) as at 31/3/09

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Graph 3 – Appeals accepted and reasons for cancellation (08/09) as at 31/3/09

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Graph 4 – Projected income against actual income (08/09) as at 31/03/09

Graph 5 – Pye chart showing percentage of PCNs and outcomes as at 31/3/09

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APPENDIX C

Performance Summary of Parking Enforcement Service

PCN ISSUE ON ST OFF ST TOTAL


07 TO 08 5261 4293 9554
08 TO 09 4400 4603 9003

PCN PAID ON ST OFF ST %


07 TO 08 4310 2882 75.27%
08 TO 09 4076 3004 78.64%

PAID AT REDUCED PENALTY


07 TO 08 6179
08 TO 09 6031

REPRESENTATIONS (INFORMAL) RECEIVED


RECEIVED ACCEPTED REJECTED
07 TO 08 3402 1600 1802
08 TO 09 3067 1373 1694

APPEALS (FORMAL)
RECEIVED ACCEPTED REJECTED
07 TO 08 365 143 222
08 TO 09 354 125 229

APPEALS TO THE TRAFFIC PENALTY TRIBUNAL


REFUSED ALLOWED NO CONTEST PENDING
07 TO 08 5 3 2 0
08 TO 09 2 10 8 1

CHARGE CERTIFICATES ISSUED OF WHICH WERE PAID


07 TO 08 908 57
08 TO 09 955 275

REGISTERED AT COUNTY COURT


07 TO 08 437
08 TO 09 494

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APPENDIX D

Table 1 On-Street Enforcement Budget Details

Revised Actual Variance Budget 2009/10


Budget
Employees ,196,800 164,370 32,430 191,300
Transport 0 2,497 -2,497 0
Supplies & Services 17,600 9,754 7,846 0
Third Party Payments 0 0 0 1,500
Internal Recharges 42,000 38,896 3,104 43,300
GROSS 215,517
EXPENDITURE 256,400 40,883 236,100
Other Grants & -94,800 -58,832 35,968 --64,500
Reimbursements
Fees & Charges --161,600 -156,685 -4,915 -171,600
GROSS INCOME -256,400 -215,517 -40,883 -236,100
NET EXPENDITURE 0 0 0 0

Table 2 Off-Street Enforcement Budget Details

Revised Actual Variance Budget 2009/10


Budget
Employees 301,400 260,843 -40,557 300,800
GROSS 260,843 300,800
EXPENDITURE 301,400 -40,557
Fees & Charges -110,000 -99,887 10,113 -110,000
GROSS INCOME -110,000 -99,887 10,113 -110,000
NET EXPENDITURE 191,400 160,956 -30,444 190,800

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APPENDIX D Continued

Graph 6

CUMULATIVE PCN INCOME 2008-09

180,000
Actual - On-
135,000 Street
Budget -
On-Street
90,000
Actual - Off-
Street
45,000 Budget -
Off-Street

0
ec
n

b
ug
pr

ct

Fe
Ju

O
A

D
A

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APPENDIX D Continued
Graph 7

PCN MONTHLY INCOME PROJECTION 2009-10

15,000
12,000 On-Street

9,000
6,000
3,000 Off-Street
0
Aug
Apr
May

Nov
Oct
Jun

Jan
Sep
Jul

Feb
Mar
Dec

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APPENDIX E

Notices Issued by Category By Contravention as at 31/03/09

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APPENDIX F
RISK ASSESSMENT

Potential
Impact Description Potential Risks Comments Comments
Opportunities
Implications in relation to: No significant risks. This contributes to A
achieving Corporate safe and healthy place
CORPORATE
Objectives and Priorities to live and work
OBJECTIVES
Corporate Governance
Responsibilities
Implications for any No significant risks. No significant
existing partnership opportunities.
PARTNERSHIPS arrangements
Risks or opportunities for
new partnerships
Implications in relation to: There is a risk that the This has been No significant The cost of the service
Budget Constraints provision of the highlighted in earlier opportunities. should be able to be
Funding decriminalised parking reports considered by covered by income from
Contractual Obligations service may be a cost to the Executive. The the PCNs issued but this
or Penalties the Council. delivery of the service in will be in line with the
FINANCE AND Use of Land or Assets the first full year is being enforcement policy.
RESOURCES measured by what is
contained in the
feasibility study and
financial model. The
service is being closely
monitored.
Implications in relation to: No significant risks. The service is being The service is being This service will assist in
Statutory or delivered in line with an delivered in line with an delivering the objectives
discretionary powers enforcement policy enforcement policy of promoting the safe
National Legislation approved by the approved by the use of highways and
(e.g. Human Rights, Executive that takes Executive that takes competing demands
LEGAL account of the new account of the new from different users.
Data protection etc)
Failing to comply with requirements contained requirements contained
legislative requirements in the Traffic in the Traffic
of service Management Act 2004 Management Act 2004
Potential litigation action
Implications in relation to: The service becomes a If the service becomes a The temporary posts
PERSONNEL cost to the Council
Organisational change cost to the Council this can be made permanent

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Potential
Impact Description Potential Risks Comments Comments
Opportunities
Employee policies and can be off set by the if suitable.
conditions temporary posts
Skill availability
Training and
Development
Implications in relation to: No significant risks. Performance monitoring The service provides the
performance targets has been put in place to opportunity to deliver the
the operation of the monitor the performance parking strategy and
service of the service against residents parking
the need for Change what is contained in the schemes etc as well as
Management consultants’ model. meeting the
SERVICE Competitive advantage requirements of the new
of the service Traffic Management Act
Technological impacts
Innovation
The needs of residents,
businesses or visitors to
the Borough
Implications for the Health No significant risks. The service contributes
HEALTH & & Safety of the Public, to the health and safety
Employees or Members of all road users and
SAFETY
those using the car
parks.
Implications in relation to: No significant risks. More uniformed
Council’s Section 17 presence on the streets
CRIME & Obligations that also links into the
Community Safety TCG. Work of the CEOs
DISORDER
Anti-fraud and links in with the
corruption enforcement team,
DVLA and the Police.
Implications in relation to: No significant risks. Assists in traffic
Sustainability management and
ENVIRONMENTAL competing demands of
Public Health
Physical risks road users.
Implications in relation to: No significant risks. The enforcement No significant
EQUALITY AND
Inclusion policy sets out a clear opportunities.
DIVERSITY
Equality of access and and transparent policy
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Potential
Impact Description Potential Risks Comments Comments
Opportunities
opportunity of the way the Council
Cohesion deals with appeals
Diversity and representations

ppp-090526-r01-kwr.doc

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