SUMMARY/PURPOSE
1.
To agree timescales and mechanisms for the delivery of
Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE).
BACKGROUND
2.
An Aim High action is the development of a policy on
DPE and as such is a high priority for the Authority and was one of the first
inquiries undertaken by the Policy Commission for Safer Communities.
3.
The Commission concluded its work in February this year
and the recommendations set out in the Blue Paper were accepted by Cabinet
later that month as a basis for policy development. Those recommendations were:
a. That
Cabinet identify the resources required to implement DPE at the earliest
opportunity.
b. That
Cabinet determine a timeframe to enable the Council to apply to the Secretary
of State for Transport for a Designation Order.
c. That
DPE is implemented as a fully in-house operation.
In addition to this, there are a number of formal
declarations the Council needs to make. At this stage these have been
identified as:
a. A
declaration that the Council will use the £60 Penalty Charge level, discounted
to £30 for payment within 14 days and incremented to £90 after the issue of a
charge certificate.
b. That
powers to undertake clamping and vehicle removal are sought as part of this
application for possible use at some time in the future.
c. That
the Council nominate an elected member and deputy to serve as the Council’s
representative on the NPAS Joint Committee.
The NPAS is an independent tribunal where impartial lawyers consider
appeals by motorists and vehicle owners whose vehicles have been issued with
Penalty Charge Notices by Councils in England and Wales enforcing parking under
The Road
Traffic
Act 1991. Councils that operate DPE must join the NPAS Joint Committee.
STRATEGIC CONTEXT
4.
The delivery of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement is
a Manifesto commitment.
5.
The Aim High Change Management Plan seeks to:
a. Drive
the Sustainable Regeneration & Development of the Island by having an
accessible, effective and integrated transport system. Improving accessibility
and reducing congestion are goals towards which DPE contributes significantly.
Revenues from the issue of Penalty Charge Notices will contribute to the local
economy.
b. Create
Safer and Stronger Communities. The presence of Parking Attendants on the
street will assist in the identification and reporting of criminal activity,
anti social behaviour and public hazards, and in the longer term may be able to
provide support to the Accredited Community Support Officer scheme.
c. To be a
High Performing & Cost Effective Council. It is intended that DPE will be a
self-sustaining scheme with any surplus revenue being re-invested in Highway
and Environmental services.
6.
The control and management of parking is an important
measure within the demand management strategy of the Local Transport Plan and
contributes to the Council’s statutory duties under the Traffic Management Act.
CONSULTATION
7.
No consultation was undertaken for the preparation of
this report.
FINANCIAL/BUDGET
IMPLICATIONS BEYOND THOSE UNDERTAKEN BY THE COMMISSION
8.
Before the Secretary of State for Transport will issue
a Designation Order, he will need to have evidence that the Council has a
financially robust business case demonstrating that any scheme is at least cost
neutral within 2 -3 years.
9.
A draft business case has been prepared by consultants, which identifies
set-up costs of £186,000 capital and £144,000 revenue, and a first year
operating deficit of up to £150,000 and £28,000 per annum
thereafter.
10.
Cabinet have already identified a sum of £480,000 as
part of the 2006/07 budget strategy to cover these costs on an ‘Invest to Save’
basis. Further work will be necessary on the draft business case to build in
the repayment of the investment costs and offset the projected operating
deficit.
LEGAL
IMPLICATIONS
OPTIONS
14.
a. To approve
the timelines set out in Appendix A to this report with an implementation date
of April 2007.
b. To approve an amended timescale is approved.
15. a.
To apply for powers to undertake clamping and vehicle removal as part of
this application for possible use at some time in the future.
b.
To take no
action to adopt these powers.
16. a.
To use the £60 Penalty Charge level, discounted to £30 for payment
within 14 days and incremented to £90 after the issue of a Charge Certificate.
b. To use a lower Penalty Charge level.
EVALUATION/RISK
MANAGEMENT
17.
Members will see from the attached Appendix that there
is considerable detailed work to be done within a challenging timescale.
18.
If members approve that timescale, there are a number
of operational decisions that need to be made at today’s meeting if that
timescale is to be adhered to and these are set out in paragraphs 14 – 16
above.
19.
The Head of Engineering Services has delegated powers
to deliver the project under the existing scheme of delegations.
20.
An Officers’ Project Steering Group has already been
established to draw together the wide range of expertise required for a project
of this nature.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
21.
That members approve the timelines set out in
Appendix A.
22.
That members approve the use of the £60 Penalty
Charge level, discounted to £30 for payment within 14 days and incremented to
£90 after the issue of a Charge Certificate.
23.
That powers to undertake clamping and vehicle
removal are sought as part of this application.
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BACKGROUND
PAPERS
Blue
Paper on Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (Saf 1/05)
APPENDICES
Appendix
A Isle of Wight Council –
Implementation of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement.
Contact
Point: Peter Taylor, Traffic and
Transportation Manager
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MR
PETER TAYLOR
Traffic
and Transportation Manager
Engineering
Services
Tel:
01983 821000 x 5763
[email protected]
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CLLR
BARRY ABRAHAM
Cabinet
Member for Safer Communities
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