Poole 2nd Annual Parking Report 16thSept 10 Final Draft

8/8/2019 Poole 2nd Annual Parking Report 16thSept 10 Final Draft

1/16

1

BOROUGH OF POOLE

2ND ANNUAL PARKING REPORT

APRIL 2009 - MARCH 2010

Jason Benjamin, Parking Services ManagerEmail:[email protected]: 01202 262150
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


2/16

2

Contents

Section

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Background

3.0 Parking PolicyHow do we contributeand why is it important?

4.0 Parking Services Who we are?

5.0 Service Developments 2009/10 -What did we achieve?

6.0 Service Developments April 2010-March 2011 - the way forward

7.0 Financial Performance

8.0 Summary


3/16

3

Borough of PooleParking Services 2nd Annual Report

April 2009- March 2010

1. Introduction.

This is the Borough of Pooles second annual report on the parking service.The Traffic Management Act 2004 requires all local authorities to publish anannual report on its parking activities.

This 2nd annual report provides a review of the councils parking servicesperformance between April 2009 and March 2010. The report aims todemonstrate that the councils parking service is operating satisfactorily and toincrease the publics understanding of parking services at a local and regionallevel showing how parking services contributes to the councils corporate

priorities and local transport plans.

The first annual report was designed to be comprehensive in relation toparking legislation, policy guidance, enforcement regulations andadministrative processes. We have chosen not to repeat all this detailedparking information in this report but have provided links to the relevantwebsite where it can be obtained. This means the report has been shortenedby 20% (which if printed will save resources contributing locally and nationallyto sustainable policy targets); however the detailed qualitative informationremains the same.

2. Background

The Borough of Poole has a population of 136,000 with a higher percentageof 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 moreper household.

Poole has many attractions with Britains best beaches, bustling Quay andshopping centres and internationally recognised businesses. This attracts a

high number of people to the area and makes it a special place to live, visitand work. Therefore parking enforcement must have strong customer focus toensure that local needs are being met and visitors return year after yearmaintaining the vitality of the town. Our aim is getting the balance rightbetween effective enforcement and maintaining a welcoming approachensuring parking facilities and accessibility are adequate and regulationscomplied with for residents and visitors alike.


4/16

4

3. Parking Policy How do we contribute and why is it important?

The parking service contributes to the wider transport aims and objectives asdetailed in the Councils Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3). These LTP 3objectives are:

Tackle climate change Support economic growth Promote equality of opportunity Contribute to better safety, security and health Improve quality of life.

Parking policies relating to enforcement have also been devised in the contextof the councils key corporate objectives, which are:

Developing a dynamic economy

Promoting health and well being Protecting and enhancing Pooles environment Improving housing for local people Strengthening our communities Supporting children and young people Meeting the needs of the ageing population Improving efficiency and effectiveness

We aim to meet these objectives by:

Providing adequate parking provision for residents and visitors 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 travelpatterns and behaviours

Facilitating the movement of bus operators and emergencyservices by ensuring they are not impeded by illegally parkedvehicles

Meeting the needs of people with disabilities Meeting the needs of cyclists and motorcyclists Facilitating adequate loading and unloading facilities for

businesses and shops without causing congestion and delay togeneral traffic Reducing long stay and commuter-based car parking

We aim to provide a parking service that is fair, consistent and proportional, inaddition to well managed car parking facilities that are safe and convenientproviding adequate disabled parking bays that are close to amenities.


5/16

5

4. Parking Services Who we are?

The parking service is responsible for the following key areas of enforcementand other parking related functions:

On street pay and display parking Off street parking through council car parks Resident Parking Enforcement of parking regulations Processing of statutory notices and dealing with challenges,

representations and appeals Recovery of parking debt through employment of bailiffs Permit administration Parking machines maintenance Vehicle crime reduction working in partnership with the police Contributes to changes in parking policy and strategy.

The introduction of part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 in March 2008changed the legal framework and in turn the way the parking service wasmanaged and operated. These changes can be found in more detail on ourweb sitewww.poole.gov.uk/parking.

Appendix A shows the parking staffing structure for the Borough of Poole andwhere 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 to 31 March 2009 18,611.

The number has fallen due to following reasons:

Improved compliance, Impact of bad weather during winter and summer period Implementing the Ring Go mobile phone payment service has

meant fewer overstay PCNs issued which reflects ourcommitment to putting customers first

Department for Transport approval delay for scheme changes

The current deployment of Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) is sufficient tocover parking restrictions in the borough, although priority is given to thoseareas where the most parking problems are experienced such as the town

centre.
http://www.poole.gov.uk/parkinghttp://www.poole.gov.uk/parkinghttp://www.poole.gov.uk/parkinghttp://www.poole.gov.uk/parking


6/16

6

Visits and patrols are varied so that resources can be increased to areas inPoole where enforcement is needed most for any particular period. Someenforcement is carried out by CEOs on moped. We have two dedicatedvehicles and mopeds that are used to enforce parking restrictions in the outerregions 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. Thereare currently no plans to introduce this service in relation to vehiclescontravening parking regulations on the highway and in council owned carparks.

CEOs visit schools at least once a month per term time to encourage greatercompliance with the regulations to protect the safety of children, parents,teachers and local residents. This is often done in partnership with the policeat schools where problems persist. CEOs also respond effectively to problems

encountered by the emergency services and bus operators. We also provideemergency school crossing cover during term times.

Parking Administration

PCNs are disputed for a wide range of reasons so it is crucial that reliablesystems exist along with well trained staff to deal with challenges,representations and appeals received.

The parking administration team are also responsible for processing permitsand season tickets. Between April 2009 and March 2010 over 40,000 permitsand season tickets were issued.

The following table shows the operational performance achieved in 2009/10,

Performancestatistic

On street2009/10

Off street2009/10

On street2008/9

Off street2008/9

Number of higherlevel PCN

5,761 426 6,629 405

Number of lowerlevel PCN

4,581 6,569 4,890 6,687

Total number ofPCNs issued

10,342 6,995 11,519 7,092

Number of PCNspaid at discount

7,254 4704 7,911 4,692

Number of PCNspaid in full

676 1,243 1,138 654

Total number ofPCNs paid

8,497 5,380 9049 5,346

Total number ofPCNs unpaid

1,845 1,615 2,470 1,746


7/16

7

Number of informaland formalrepresentation forPCNs issued

1,668 1,798 2,078 1,852

Number of PCNScancelled due toinformal/formalrepresentations

607 921 921 1,058

Number of PCNswritten off for otherreasons

227 151 166 116

Number of PCNsresulting inAdjudication

46 23 33 14

Permit Processing 2009/10 2008/9Number of residents permits issued 1,682 1,836Number of resident beach seasontickets issued

1,812 1,663

Other season tickets permits issued 1,035 1,556Multi Storey season tickets issued 400 496Number of commuter permits 218 294Total number of Visitor Vouchersissued

11,932 10,588

Total number of other scratch cards

issued

23,670 26,095

Number of Healthcare permits 438 465Number of Waivers issued 903 1,287Number of small traders annualpermits

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 tenderprocurement process.

The Councils 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 theprocess either through payment or by way of a successful appeal rather thanhaving to resort to the use of these powers. When a PCN remains unpaid, the

Council will ultimately instruct bailiffs to recover the amount outstanding. Thebailiff is also entitled to add their fees to the amount due to the council and


8/16

8

can seize goods such as a vehicle which can then be sold at auction to coverthe outstanding debt.

Car Park Management

The Borough of Poole has over 40 on and off street car parks including 4 multistory car parks. In total, over 8,000 parking spaces plus over 250 spacesdedicated to Blue badge holders. In addition our town centre and beach carparks provided dedicated areas for motorbikes. The list and map showingcouncil car parks in Poole and respective charges can be found by visitingwww.poole.gov.uk/parking.

The cost of parking is set at a level that aims to strike a balance between theCouncils transportation policies, the satisfaction of customers and occupancylevels. 21 car parks have been awarded ParkMark status by the BritishParking Association.

In March 2010, Parkeon Ltd was the successful tenderers to replace 71 payand display machines in the councils car parks and on street areas. Theexisting machines were over 20 years old and expensive to maintain. Thereplacement machines will be solar powered making significant savings inmaintenance and running costs. This will also help the council reduce itsenergy 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 topay for their parking fees using their mobile phone with their credit or debitcard.

RingGo Usage figures

RingGo 2009/10 2008/9Total Ring Gotransactions

13,000 4,500

Difference 8,500

Clearly, this payment method is proving increasingly popular with motorists. In2010/11, we are proposing to extend the RingGo service to visitors wanting tobuy weekly beach parking permits.
http://www.poole.gov.uk/parkinghttp://www.poole.gov.uk/parkinghttp://www.poole.gov.uk/parking


9/16

9

Blue Badge Scheme

In the UK, there are several million blue badge holders. The national schemeonly applies to on street parking. However, from 1 April 2010 valid blue badgeholders can park free in Borough of Poole off street surface car parks up tothe maximum waiting time. We review the provision of disabled spaces in allour car parks and on street twice a year to ensure it meets the needs of BlueBadge holders.

Blue badge abuse is a common national problem that causes greatinconvenience to genuine blue badge holders as well a defrauding the councilof parking fee income. Our CEOs have the powers to inspect Blue Badgesand report any abuses to the police and Poole social services.

The Blue Badge scheme is currently under review by the Department forTransport and draft proposals for a revised scheme have beendiscussed with local authorities and are ongoing. Changes to thescheme are likely to be published in 2010/11.

Abandoned and Untaxed Vehicles

We support the work of the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) byreporting untaxed vehicles. From April 2009 to March 2010 a total of 295witness statements were issued by CEOs. This compares to 514 witnessstatements issued for the same corresponding period 2008/9. This infers thatcompliance has improved.

Environmental and consumer protection services (ECPS) is responsible forremoving untaxed and abandoned vehicles. From April 2009 until March 2010a total of 5 abandoned vehicles were removed. This compares to 26abandoned vehicles removed in same corresponding period 2008/9.

Littering and Dog Fouling

CEOs report incident of dog fouling and littering to ECPS so that theappropriate enforcement can be taken. At total of six reports were made fromApril 2009 to March 2010. This compares to nine reports made in the samecorresponding period 2008/9

Signs and Lines

Signs and lines are needed to communicate the parking restrictions to everymotorist. There is an on going programme of maintenance and repair toensure signs and lines continue to be adequate for the purposes of

enforcement. To report any missing or faulty signs and lines please contact


10/16

10

parking team on 01202 262153 or the report it section atwww.boroughofPoole.com

6. Service Development April 2010- March 2011 the way forward

ServiceDevelopment

Planned Proposals Corporate Policy

ParkingStrategy

To develop and implement 3 yearparking strategy and to build uponthe initiatives put in place last year,including a review of simplifyingparking tariffs, reviewing the numberof dedicated disabled bays, review ofCCTV system, improving parkingadministration processes for staff andcustomers through investment inonline applications.

Developing a dynamiceconomyProtecting andenhancing PoolesenvironmentMeeting the needs ofageing population,

Improve efficienciesand effectiveness

ParkingEnforcement

The Traffic Management Act 2004allows local authorities to utiliseapproved mobile vehicle devices.These are very effective and efficienttools to enforce outside schools andto clear bus stops. We are proposingto trial this system in 2011/12.Procedures for enforcement ofdropped kerbs and double parking to

be put in place in 2010

Protecting andenhancing PoolesenvironmentMeeting the needs ofageing populationImprove efficienciesand effectiveness

Car Parks The council car parks will acquire acorporate identity with signage that iswelcoming, easy to understand andreflects councils visionIn 2010, we hope to trial severalelectric charging points in our multistorey car parks.

Replace all remaining mains poweredpay and display machines with solarpowered ones by 2011/12.

Developing a dynamiceconomyProtecting andenhancing PoolesenvironmentImprove efficienciesand effectiveness

ParkingAdministration

The parking administration team willbe relocated to St Johns house whichwill improve communication andefficiencies.

Proposed IT upgrade will mean thatmotorists will be able to view theirPCN online and residents being ableto renew their permits onlineeliminating key stationary costs.

Protecting andenhancing PoolesenvironmentImprove efficienciesand effectiveness

Training All frontline and back office parkingstaff to have completed relevant NVQ

2/3 qualifications

Improve efficienciesand effectiveness

Ring Go Visitors to be able to purchase weekly Protecting and
http://www.boroughofpoole.com/http://www.boroughofpoole.com/


11/16

11

beach permit s at any time by usingthe Ring Go mobile payment system.

enhancing PoolesenvironmentImprove efficienciesand effectiveness

7. Financial Performance

The following tables show the financial performance of the on and off streetparking service in 2009/10

On streetCurrent year (2009/10) Previous year (2008/09)

Income

Pay & Display/Meters 321,533 295,799

Residents &VisitorsPermits

102,588 102,217

Business Permits N/A N/AOther non-PCN income 19,507 18,012PCN income 363,618 357,817Clamping/removalsincome*

N/A N/A

Total Income 807,246 773,845Expenditure

Employees 530,961 605,958Premises 7,353 10,087Transport 26,085 28,784Traffic Penalty Tribunal 4,068 6,235TEC (Northampton) 4,967 5,400Supplies & Services 121,832 128,128Contractor Payments 9,463 62,338Support Costs 256,610 248,056Depreciation/Impairment 0 1,451Total Expenditure 961,339 1,096,437

Surplus (Deficit) (154,093) (322,592)

Off streetCurrent year (2009/10) Previous year (2008/09)

Income

Pay & Display/Meters 3,741,593 3,586,377Residents & Visitors 474,014 494,137


12/16

12

PermitsOther non-PCN Income 225,666 231,242PCN income 185,739 171,783Clamping/removalsincome

N/A NA

Total Income Off street 4,627,012 4,483,539Expenditure

Employees 490,937 463,402Premises 696,650 818,634Transport 26,221 24,114Traffic Penalty Tribunal 4,122 4,899TEC (Northampton) 5,033 4,600Supplies & Services 160,569 147,602Contractor Payments 8,596 5,999

Support Costs 416,729 376,498Depreciation/Impairment 344,392 1,355,264Clamping/removalsexpenditure*

N/A N/A

Total Expenditure 2,153,249 3,201,012

Surplus (Deficit) 2,473,763 1,282,527

TOTAL ON-ANDOFF-STREETIncome 5,434,258 5,257,384

Expenditure 3,114,588 4,297,449Surplus (Deficit) 2,319,670 959,935

APPLICATION OF PARKING SURPLUS/DEFICIT

Year Current year(2009/10)

Previous year(2008/09)

Surplus (Deficit*) Making good to the general

fund of any amount chargedto that fund in the 4 yearsimmediately preceding thefinancial year in question(whereAppropriate)Brought forward (whereAppropriate)Report to includeExpenditure such as:-Refurbishment of CarPark A**


13/16

13

Introducing ControlledParking Zone B**New on-street ticketmachines**Lines and signs audit**

Concessionary faresTaxi-card schemesTransportation Services 2,319,670 959,935Carried forward (whereappropriate)

0 0

EFERENCEEFERENCE* NB.At the end of each financial year any deficit in the account must be made good out of the general fund.

** NBB. Expenditure such as that identified by two asterisks

(**) can be dealt with either in the basic parking account as revenue expenditure, thus reducing the parking surplus, or

included here when approved as capital expenditure. The arrangement will depend on how authorities plan their future

expenditure.

.

Surplus money raised through on street activity such as PCN income is usedfor meeting the costs of providing the service and/or used specifically forhighway or road improvements. Surplus funds raised through the provision ofoff street parking facilities are used to off set the costs of providing services tothe public such as refuse collection, waste recycling and street cleansing.Without these surplus funds those costs would have to be met through othermeans such as Council Tax.

8. Summary

The 2ndannual report of Pooles parking service has provided updatedinformation on the operational, financial and policy performance. The parkingservice is in a good position to deliver significant service improvements for2010/11 and support corporate policies and Local Transport Plan 3 objectives.

For general enquiries relating to parking charges, car park operating hoursplease visitwww.poole.gov.uk/parkingor telephone parking services on01202 262154.

For more information about the Blue Badge scheme please contact PoolesAdult Social Services Commissioning team on telephone number 01202633605 or by [email protected].
http://www.poole.gov.uk/parkinghttp://www.poole.gov.uk/parkinghttp://www.poole.gov.uk/parkingmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.poole.gov.uk/parking


14/16

14

PUBLICISING AND SUBMITTINGACCOUNTS

Regulations (see SI 3483 and notes in the BPA note)made under theTMA2004 will mean that enforcement authorities outside London will no longerhave to send their parking accounts each year to the Secretary of State.However, as noted above, these authorities will still need to produce parkingaccounts under S. 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and to publicisethese under the requirements of statutory guidance {the Annual Report}.

Given that mature parking operations may produce a parking surplus, thoughnot designed so to do, some authorities prudently allow for future surplusesand build this into their programmes. There is nothing wrong in this, as longas they do not rely on these surpluses, and if for any reason these surplusesdo not occur, authorities must not adjust their charges or operations simply toachieve the expected surpluses.

It is also worth noting that authorities can only spend their surplus on non-parking related items if they are satisfied there is no need for further off-streetparking facilities. Authorities may wish to provide a statement establishing this

fact if monies are to be spent in other areas.

Jason BenjaminParking Services [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


15/16

15

Appendix 1 Transportation Services & Parking Team Structure

Service Unit Head

MAINTENANCE PARKINGMAINTENANCEPASSENGER

TRANSPORTPOLICY ENGINEERINGTRAFFIC S&SI


16/16

16

Parking Services Manager

EnforcementSupervisor

Senior EnforcementSupervisor

Cashier

Techniciansx3

Controller

CivilEnforcement

OfficersNight Team

x3

EnforcementSupervisor

Civil EnforcementOfficers

Car Parksx4

Seasonal CivilEnforcmentOfficers x4

Senior CivilEnforcement Officers

X 2

Civil EnforcementOfficers

x5

Civil EnforcmentOfficers

x5

Parking Officer

ParkingInvestigation

Officersx5

12 FTE's in Total

Parking AdministrationManger

Assistant ParkingServices Manager

Poole 2nd Annual Parking Report 16thSept 10 Final Draft

Documents

Transcript of Poole 2nd Annual Parking Report 16thSept 10 Final Draft