Agenda item

This scrutiny report provides background to parking enforcement and follows on from the November 2022, Digital Respark (resident parking zone permit management) scrutiny report to the Economy and Place Policy and Scrutiny Committee and provides an update.

Officers introduced the report into Digital Residents Parking and Parking Enforcement. They confirmed that the Council implemented a new parking system in 2021-22 which included changes to the customer journey and introduced online self-service. On parking enforcement officers noted that the Council was currently advertising to fill four vacant Civil Enforcement Officers.

The Committee asked about access to paper parking permits and it was confirmed that these remained available to customers that wished to remain on the physical permit route within the customer journey. Officers noted the suggestion from the Committee that some residents would engage in resident parking enforcement when there were physical permits that could be checked. It was therefore noted that the Council was exploring the ability for residents to check for digital permits via searching a database of registration numbers.

Members raised questions regarding the Councils ability to police traffic management offenses. Officers confirmed that the Council could only currently enforce bus lanes, all other traffic management offense enforcement was covered by the Police. The Council had applied to government for additional powers but was yet to be granted these powers. The Committee specifically highlighted concerns around parking outside of schools and the Executive Member for Economy and Transport welcomed member engagement with the Local Transport Strategy Consultation on this issue.

The Committee agreed that parking issues were a major concern for residents and something which Councillors were often contacted on. Members noted that not all Councillors were always aware of the best way to raise issues around parking to the Council. Officers confirmed that there were options such as organised petitions for things such as residents parking and double yellow lines Councillors could explore. They also noted that specific training in regards to parking could be arranged for Councillors if this would be beneficial to Councillors.

Members enquired regarding the experience residents had when calling to report parking issues. Officers noted that the service was 7 days a week and was a nationally run hotline. Members raised concerns that residents were not always asked the same questions when calling to report issues to the national hotline and were unsure if issues were resolved. Officers confirmed that they could explore access to feedback and a review of caller scripts to explore if a more consistent approach could be undertaken.

Resolved:

                      i.         That Officers and the Executive Member pass on the thanks of the Committee to the Council’s Civil Enforcement Officers for their hard work;

                     ii.         That Officers consider what guidance could be provided to Councillors on how to approach parking enforcement issues;

                    iii.        That Officers would review the information the Council includes on its website regarding parking enforcement and to ask to review the scripts provided on the national parking enforcement hotline and provide feedback for a more consistent approach;

                   iv.        Officers to feedback to Committee members parking income data;

                     v.        Officers to consider whether a live list could be published online with the progress of approved Traffic Regulation Orders.

Reason:     To support the improvement of parking enforcement in the city.