Agenda item

Report of the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport

Since the decriminalisation of parking enforcement in 2008 enforcement powers had been shared between local authorities and the police.  Details are provided on the County Council’s website:

https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/transport/parking/Enforcement.aspx

Prior to April 2015 on-street enforcement was carried out on behalf of the County Council by each of the eight district/borough councils.  In April 2015 the arrangements changed and the County Council entered into a single arrangement with Stoke-on- Trent City Council for enforcement and back office services.

With the exception of dropped kerb crossing points and double parking local authorities can only enforce where parking restrictions exist.  Any issues of vehicles parked dangerously or causing an obstruction remains a matter for the police.  The police can also address offences of wilful and unnecessary obstruction on the road or pavement, the blocking of pedestrian/disabled crossing points and vehicle access crossings, dangerous parking on chevrons at pedestrian crossings etc., and issues of double parking or parking too close to a junction.

Members were updated on proposed changes to the Policy for the Processing of Penalty Charge Notices and the Policy and Guidelines for Residents Parking Zones.

Members welcomed Matthew Ellis, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and Bob Brockbank and Michael Clarke from Stoke City Council who were attending the meeting to discuss with Members and Officers the current arrangements for enforcement of the car parking strategy in Staffordshire.  Members stated that there was confusion over which body was responsible for what, and that mixed responses were being given as to who was responsible for what. 

The PCC confirmed that where there were clear obstruction issues this would be a police matter.  Under new legislation due to come into force in March 2017 additional enforcement powers would be given to PCSOs.  However, the PCC did not want PCSOs to spend all their time acting as traffic wardens as he believed that this would diminish their role, which should be at the heart of communities. 

It was agreed that parking outside schools was a significant problem.  Some good work was being done on this, with schools, the Police and local members working in partnership.  Some schools were also proactively addressing the problem by providing space for children to be dropped off/picked up.  Nevertheless it was important to reinforce the message that drivers had a personal responsibility to park safely and considerately.  The PCC informed members that he would encourage the Police to be more proactive around tackling parking issues and would request the reintroduction of Warning Notices.  In the past, issuing parking tickets had involved lengthy and time consuming paper trails.  Now, thanks to modern technology carried by officers, it was greatly simplified. Members questioned why technology such as CCTV, police body cams and camera cars which were used in Stoke-on-Trent was not used to support parking enforcement.  It was suggested that being more visible and vocal about the use of technology could provide improved preventative measures.   The PCC agreed to do further work on exploring the use of technology, and informed members that it had been helpful to look at what could be done.  Whilst he did not believe this matter could be completely resolved more work done in partnership could help to address the issue, specifically in agreeing basic principles and ideas and including the role of the Safer Roads Partnership.  The PCC also agreed to consider a clear communications campaign on the respective roles of the Police and local authorities. 

It was queried how local intelligence was fed back to the County Council.  Members were informed that there was an Inbox clear.streets@staffordshire.gov.uk  which members of the public could access.  The Police were also asked to feedback any observations or trends.  It was agreed that this link should be put on the Members’ Portal.

Members requested a breakdown of enforcement activity by district, and also details of the costs of the arrangement with Stoke-on-Trent, together with details of the income collected from parking fines.  There was a mixed reaction to the proposals to increase the minimum weekly payment for penalty charge notices from £10 to £20.  They were informed that £20 had been considered to be a reasonable and proportionate figure.

The Chairman thanked the PCC, and officers from Stoke-on-Trent for their attendance and contribution to the meeting.

RESOLVED – That:

a)    the responsibilities for on-street parking enforcement and residents parking zones in Staffordshire be noted;

b)    the proposed changes to the Policy for the Processing of Penalty Charge Notices and the Policy and Guidelines for Residents Parking Zones be approved;

c)     the Chairman write to the PCC to request:

·        that he consider undertaking an internal communications campaign within Staffordshire Police to communicate the roles of personnel involved in parking enforcement and also an external awareness campaign;

·        that he ask the Police to reconsider the use of advisory tickets in regard to parking enforcement; and

·        that he undertake further work on how technology can be employed in regard to parking enforcement and agreeing basic principles and ideas including the role of the Safer Roads Partnership; and

·        that he report back on responses to these requests;

d)    a link to the Clear Streets Inbox be added to the Members’ Portal;

e)    the Cabinet Member provide a breakdown of enforcement activity by district, details of the costs of the joint arrangement with Stoke on Trent, and details of the income collected from parking fines; and

f)      the Cabinet Member prioritise the work in regard to the use of technology in parking reinforcement and report back.