The wider aspects of enforcing parking legislation, formed the theme of the British Parking Association (BPA) autumn seminar, attended by the UK parking sector.
As proposals to change the way local authorities (LAs) operate parking enforcement are anticipated from Government, industry leaders gathered to discuss preparation for change, and the future. Issues covered included:
Quality Measurement – Making Parking Fairer
Prof John Raine of Birmingham University presented a paper on ‘Measuring the Quality of Local Authority Parking Enforcement’. Such measurements are undertaken locally, and some LAs still use the number of tickets issued in an area as a way of assessing the quality of their parking enforcement service.
His paper reflected that quality measurement focuses mainly on the LA and the parking enforcement provider, and that a system whereby the quality of service to the public is also measured should be used instead. He also suggested and prioritised improvements that could be made.
The key recommendation was a measurement system which:
reflects both public and professional perspectives
local authorities can use themselves
gives local authorities scope for improvement, and prioritises that improvement
promotes collaboration, exchange and learning between all local authorities
What they say
Keith Banbury, Chief Executive of the British Parking Association, says: "One of the biggest issues in the on-street parking industry today is the perception that it is operated unfairly, particularly from the point of view of the motorist. By focusing more on the quality of the service delivered and measuring compliance with the regulations, hopefully the industry will be able to improve public perception."
The paper ‘Measuring the Quality of Local Authority Parking Enforcement’, prepared by the Institute of Local Government Studies’ School of Public Policy at Birmingham University, is available at www.bham.ac.uk
National Parking Offenders Database
A presentation was delivered about the benefits of creating a National Parking Offenders Database. Information on persistent offenders is held by the local authorities individually, and persistent offenders are often treated differently by different councils.
Introducing a system where information on persistent offenders is shared between councils could have a great impact on those who try to cheat the system in many council areas, the event heard. For example, an offender with numerous outstanding parking tickets in one council area could have their car removed in another area, if parking regulations were once again violated – where normally they would have received a ticket only. By creating a National Parking Offenders Database, a parking attendant would be able to find out greater information on the parking history of the vehicle.
Keith Banbury, Chief Executive of the British Parking Association said: "Persistent parking offenders cause problems for all communities, as they often ignore the regulations to the detriment of those who park correctly, including disabled drivers. By creating a national offenders database, parking attendants all over the UK would be able to act quickly, to the benefit of the public."
Abuse of Blue Badge Scheme
A seminar highlighted the continuing abuse of the disabled badge scheme. Liverpool City Council, in co-operation with Merseyside Police, conducted a pilot scheme to cut abuse by identification of deceased badge holders through the Department for Work and Pensions, which holds a deceased persons database. In addition, the introduction of new software with links to the Registrar’s office assisted in identifying problem areas.
As a result, the Department for Transport is now consulting other stakeholders to review the powers to inspect Blue Badges.
Blue Badge fraud is a widespread problem which tends to affect most the people that it was introduced to benefit. Keith Banbury said: "We are very keen that the Government highlight Blue Badge fraud, which includes the loan of badges, as well as improper use. At present, the scheme is managed by the local authority, but by introducing tougher and more uniform enforcement detection and prosecution against fraudsters, much will be gained."
Future of Parking Enforcement
Following his review of Decriminalised Parking, presented to the British Parking Association (BPA) in May, Richard Childs, former Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police, spoke about the realities of parking enforcement in the UK and the need for legitimacy and transparency in the eyes of the public. The BPA commissioned Mr Childs to deliver a review of current parking regulations, which has been presented to the Department for Transport. This was delivered in advance of the release of new Government guidelines on Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE), which are imminent.
Nigel Williams, President of the BPA said: "Over the summer, we encouraged the Government to consider the recommendations made in the review, and we are currently looking forward to their issue of new draft guidelines for DPE, which should be out early next year. In areas such as fines, transparency and abuse of parking attendants the recommendations were particularly strong and, if they are taken forward by Government, the BPA believes that they will go a long way to ensuring public confidence in the system. We strongly urge the DfT to take these recommendations on board and are working in partnership with them, and others within the industry, to effect real change."
These are just four issues which were covered in the autumn seminar that could change the way that the parking industry in the UK operates in the future, the BPA adds.
Further information
Details of the British Parking Association and the Autumn Seminar "Joined up Thinking: Civil Enforcement – the Broader Picture", can be found at the BPA website.
