AGENDA ITEM 7
BOROUGH OF POOLE
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP
29 JULY 2010
FOR INFORMATION ONLY
PARKING SERVICES 2ND ANNUAL REPORT
APRIL 2009 – MARCH 2010
1. INTRODUCTION
This is the Borough of Poole’s second annual report on the parking service.
The Traffic Management Act 2004 requires all local authorities to publish an annual report on its parking activities.
This 2nd annual report provides a review of the council’s parking services performance between April 2009 and March 2010. The report aims to demonstrate that the council’s parking service is operating satisfactorily and to increase the publics understanding of parking services at a local and regional level showing how parking services contributes to the council’s corporate priorities and local transport plans.
The first annual report was designed to be comprehensive in relation to parking legislation, policy guidance, enforcement regulations and administrative processes. We have chosen not to repeat all this detailed parking information in this report but have provided links to the relevant website where it can be obtained. This means the report has been shortened by 30% (which if printed will save resources contributing locally and nationally to sustainable policy targets); however the detailed qualitative information remains the same.
2. BACKGROUND
The Borough of Poole has a population of 136,000 with a higher percentage of people being over the age of 65 years. Vehicle ownership is high with 45% of the population owning one car and a further 28% owning two cars or more per household.
Poole has many attractions with Britain’s best beaches, bustling Quay and shopping centres and internationally recognised businesses. This attracts a high number of people to the area and makes it a special place to live, visit and work. Therefore parking enforcement must have strong customer focus to ensure that local needs are being met and visitors return year after year maintaining the vitality of the town. Our aim is getting the balance right between effective enforcement and maintaining a welcoming approach ensuring parking facilities and accessibility are adequate and regulations complied with for residents and visitors alike.
3. PARKING POLICY – HOW DO WE CONTRIBUTE AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
The parking service contributes to the wider transport aims and objectives as detailed in the Council’s Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3). These LTP 3 objectives are:
Ø Tackle climate change
Ø Support economic growth
Ø Promote equality of opportunity
Ø Contribute to better safety, security and health
Ø Improve quality of life.
Parking policies relating to enforcement have also been devised in the context of the council’s key corporate objectives, which are:
Ø Developing a dynamic economy
Ø Promoting health and well being
Ø Protecting and enhancing Poole’s environment
Ø Improving housing for local people
Ø Strengthening our communities
Ø Supporting children and young people
Ø Meeting the needs of the ageing population
Ø Improving efficiency and effectiveness
We aim to meet these objectives by:
Ø Providing adequate parking provision for residents and visitors
Ø Balancing the demand for parking in order to enhance the viability and attractiveness of the borough, reduce congestion, improve air quality and health, and promote sustainable travel patterns and behaviours
Ø Facilitating the movement of bus operators and emergency services by ensuring they are not impeded by illegally parked vehicles
Ø Meeting the needs of people with disabilities
Ø Meeting the needs of cyclists and motorcyclists
Ø Facilitating adequate loading and unloading facilities for businesses and shops without causing congestion and delay to general traffic
Ø Reducing long stay and commuter-based car parking
We aim to provide a parking service that is fair, consistent and proportional, in addition to well managed car parking facilities that are safe and convenient providing adequate disabled parking bays that are close to amenities.
4. PARKING SERVICES – WHO ARE WE?
The parking service is responsible for the following key areas of enforcement and other parking related functions:
Ø On street pay and display parking
Ø Off street parking through council car parks
Ø Resident Parking
Ø Enforcement of parking regulations
Ø Processing of statutory notices and dealing with challenges, representations and appeals
Ø Recovery of parking debt through employment of bailiffs
Ø Permit administration
Ø Parking machines maintenance
Ø Vehicle crime reduction working in partnership with the police
Ø Contributes to changes in parking policy and strategy.
The introduction of part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 in March 2008 changed the legal framework and in turn the way the parking service was managed and operated. These changes can be found in more detail on our web site www.poole.gov.uk/parking.
Appendix A shows the parking staffing structure for the Borough of Poole and where we fit in relation to Transportation services.
5. SERVICE DEVELOPMENT 2009/10 – WHAT DID WE ACHIEVE?
Operational Performance
Parking Enforcement
Number of PCNs issued :
· 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 - 17,337.
· 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009 – 18,611.
This number has fallen due to following reasons:
Ø Improved compliance,
Ø Impact of bad weather during winter and summer period
Ø Implementing the Ring Go mobile phone payment service has meant fewer overstay PCNs issued which reflects our commitment to putting customers first
Ø Department for Transport approval delay for scheme changes
The current deployment of Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) is sufficient to cover parking restrictions in the borough, although priority is given to those areas where the most parking problems are experienced such as the town centre.
Visits and patrols are varied so that resources can be increased to areas in Poole where enforcement is needed most for any particular period. Some enforcement is carried out by CEOs on moped. We have two dedicated vehicles and mopeds that are used to enforce parking restrictions in the outer regions of the borough, late evening patrols and to provide a speedier response to operational “hot spots”.
The parking service does not operate a clamping and removal service. There are currently no plans to introduce this service in relation to vehicles contravening parking regulations on the highway and in council owned car parks.
CEOs visit schools at least once a month per term time to encourage greater compliance with the regulations to protect the safety of children, parents, teachers and local residents. This is often done in partnership with the police at schools where problems persist. CEOs also respond effectively to problems encountered by the emergency services and bus operators. We also provide emergency school crossing cover during term times.
Parking Administration
PCNs are disputed for a wide range of reasons so it is crucial that reliable systems exist along with well trained staff to deal with challenges, representations and appeals received.
The parking administration team are also responsible for processing permits and season tickets. Between April 2009 and March 2010 over 40,000 permits and season tickets were issued.
The following table shows the operational performance achieved in 2009/10,
Performance statistic / On street2009/10 / Off street 2009/10 / On street
2008/9 / Off street 2008/9
Number of higher level PCN / 5,761 / 426 / 6,629 / 405
Number of lower level PCN / 4,581 / 6,569 / 4,890 / 6,687
Total number of PCNs issued / 10,342 / 6,995 / 11,519 / 7,092
Number of PCNs paid at discount / 7,254 / 4704 / 7,911 / 4,692
Number of PCNs paid in full / 676 / 1,243 / 1,138 / 654
Total number of PCNs paid / 8,497 / 5,380 / 9049 / 5,346
Total number of PCNs unpaid / 1,845 / 1,615 / 2,470 / 1,746
Performance statistic / On street
2009/10 / Off street 2009/10 / On street
2008/9 / Off street 2008/9
Number of informal and formal representation for PCNs issued / 1,668 / 1,798 / 2,078 / 1,852
Number of PCNS cancelled due to informal/formal representations / 607 / 921 / 921 / 1,058
Number of PCNs written off for other reasons / 227 / 151 / 166 / 116
Number of PCNs resulting in Adjudication / 46 / 23 / 33 / 14
Permit Processing / 2009/10 / 2008/9
Number of residents permits issued / 1,682 / 1,836
Number of resident beach season tickets issued / 1,812 / 1,663
Other season tickets permits issued / 1,035 / 1,556
Multi Storey season tickets issued / 400 / 496
Number of commuter permits / 218 / 294
Total number of Visitor Vouchers issued / 11,932 / 10,588
Total number of other scratch cards issued / 23,670 / 26,095
Number of Healthcare permits / 438 / 465
Number of Waivers issued / 903 / 1,287
Number of small traders annual permits / 44 / 40
Total / 42,134 / 44,322
Debt Recovery
In March 2010, the council appointed two bailiff companies Ross and Roberts and Equita to collect unpaid PCN warrants as a result of a tender procurement process.
The Council’s bailiff company recovered on our behalf:
· 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 - £65,097.87.
compared with
· 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 - £44,053.17
We prefer to see matters relating to PCNs settled at an early stage of the process either through payment or by way of a successful appeal rather than having to resort to the use of these powers. When a PCN remains unpaid, the Council will ultimately instruct bailiffs to recover the amount outstanding. The bailiff is also entitled to add their fees to the amount due to the council and can seize goods such as a vehicle which can then be sold at auction to cover the outstanding debt.
Car Park Management
The Borough of Poole has over 40 on and off street car parks including 4 multi story car parks. In total, over 8,000 parking spaces plus over 250 spaces dedicated to Blue badge holders. In addition our town centre and beach car parks provided dedicated areas for motorbikes. The list and map showing council car parks in Poole and respective charges can be found by visiting www.poole.gov.uk/parking.
The cost of parking is set at a level that aims to strike a balance between the Council’s transportation policies, the satisfaction of customers and occupancy levels. 21 car parks have been awarded “ParkMark” status by the British Parking Association.
In March 2010, Parkeon Ltd was the successful tenderers to replace 71 pay and display machines in the council’s car parks and on street areas. The existing machines were over 20 years old and expensive to maintain. The replacement machines will be solar powered making significant savings in maintenance and running costs. This will also help the council reduce its energy costs.
Car park usage figures
Off street car parks / 2009/10 / 2008/9Total car park sales (excluding RingGo) / 3,865,934 / 3,903,946
Difference / (38,012)
RingGo
RingGo is the mobile phone parking payment system that allows customers to pay for their parking fees using their mobile phone with their credit or debit card.
RingGo Usage figures
RingGo / 2009/10 / 2008/9Total Ring Go transactions / 13,000 / 4,500
Difference / 8,500
Clearly, this payment method is proving increasingly popular with motorists. In 2010/11, we are proposing to extend the RingGo service to visitors wanting to buy weekly beach parking permits.
Blue Badge Scheme
In the UK, there are several million blue badge holders. The national scheme only applies to on street parking. However, from 1 April 2010 valid blue badge holders can park free in Borough of Poole off street surface car parks up to the maximum waiting time. We review the provision of disabled spaces in all our car parks and on street twice a year to ensure it meets the needs of Blue Badge holders.
Blue badge abuse is a common national problem that causes great inconvenience to genuine blue badge holders as well a defrauding the council of parking fee income. Our CEOs have the powers to inspect Blue Badges and report any abuses to the police and Poole social services.
The Blue Badge scheme is currently under review by the Department for Transport and draft proposals for a revised scheme have been discussed with local authorities and are ongoing. Changes to the scheme are likely to be published in 2010/11.
Abandoned and Untaxed Vehicles
We support the work of the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) by reporting untaxed vehicles. From April 2009 to March 2010 a total of 295 witness statements were issued by CEOs. This compares to 514 witness statements issued for the same corresponding period 2008/9. This infers that compliance has improved.
Environmental and consumer protection services (ECPS) is responsible for removing untaxed and abandoned vehicles. From April 2009 until March 2010 a total of 5 abandoned vehicles were removed. This compares to 26 abandoned vehicles removed in same corresponding period 2008/9.
Littering and Dog Fouling
CEOs report incident of dog fouling and littering to ECPS so that the appropriate enforcement can be taken. At total of six reports were made from April 2009 to March 2010. This compares to nine reports made in the same corresponding period 2008/9
Signs and Lines
Signs and lines are needed to communicate the parking restrictions to every motorist. There is an on going programme of maintenance and repair to ensure signs and lines continue to be adequate for the purposes of enforcement. To report any missing or faulty signs and lines please contact parking team on 01202 262153 or the report it section at www.boroughofPoole.com
6. SERVICE DEVELOPMENT APRIL 2010 – MARCH 2011 – THE WAY FORWARD
Service Development / Planned Proposals / Corporate PolicyParking Strategy / · To develop and implement 3 year parking strategy and to build upon the initiatives put in place last year, including a review of simplifying parking tariffs, reviewing the number of dedicated disabled bays, review of CCTV system, improving parking administration processes for staff and customers through investment in online applications. / · Developing a dynamic economy
· Protecting and enhancing Poole’s environment
· Meeting the needs of ageing population,
· Improve efficiencies and effectiveness
Parking Enforcement / · The Traffic Management Act 2004 allows local authorities to utilise approved mobile vehicle devices. These are very effective and efficient tools to enforce outside schools and to clear bus stops. We are proposing to trial this system in 2011/12.
· Procedures for enforcement of dropped kerbs and double parking to be put in place in 2010 / · Protecting and enhancing Poole’s environment
· Meeting the needs of ageing population
· Improve efficiencies and effectiveness
Car Parks / · The council car parks will acquire a corporate identity with signage that is welcoming, easy to understand and reflects council’s vision
· In 2010, we hope to trial several electric charging points in our multi storey car parks.
· Replace all remaining mains powered pay and display machines with solar powered ones by 2011/12. / · Developing a dynamic economy
· Protecting and enhancing Poole’s environment
· Improve efficiencies and effectiveness
Parking Administration / · The parking administration team will be relocated to St Johns house which will improve communication and efficiencies.
· Proposed IT upgrade will mean that motorists will be able to view their PCN online and residents being able to renew their permits online eliminating key stationary costs. / · Protecting and enhancing Poole’s environment
· Improve efficiencies and effectiveness
Training / · All frontline and back office parking staff to have completed relevant NVQ 2/3 qualifications / · Improve efficiencies and effectiveness
Ring Go / · Visitors to be able to purchase weekly beach permit s at any time by using the Ring Go mobile payment system. / · Protecting and enhancing Poole’s environment
· Improve efficiencies and effectiveness
7. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE