Agenda item

A presentation was conducted on the approach to the parking review to ensure that all the requirements within the town were met across the board. Members were informed regarding the background issues regarding parking stating that a number of complaints had been received from residents and businesses alike about the difficulties in parking in their roads and area. In order to alleviate displacement of such issues the decision was taken to conduct a town wide review.  

The presenting officer confirmed that there would be a need to establish a project board in order to consider the full scope of the scheme.

A member enquired whether anything could be done out of hours in terms of illegal parking given that wardens numbers had been drastically cut and it would be difficult to enforce. The member also asked whether there could be any access to an out of hours number to assist in this regard. The officer stated that there was no such facility at present as the new service was still in the process of being reviewed, however certain enforcement did exist in core areas where there were safety concerns etc. There were a number of vacancies out for recruitment which was supported by a campaign. Some wardens were using e-scooters to cover more ground quickly and if there was a shortage enforcement officers would be used from other geographical areas e.g. Amersham and Aylesbury. The new Service would operate more flexibly as it would be integrated (off and on street parking) to provide more cover. They were also looking at opportunities to improve the customer experience where there could be online reporting of any parking issues, however it was difficult to react quickly to active enforcement issues . A Member commented that she was not aware of the recruitment campaign. This had been undertaken via social media via the Media Team and the presenting officer would check details of the campaign.

Concern was raised at the length of time this project would take as discussions had been ongoing for some time. The presenting officer reported that a consultant had been appointed to undertake the project and the timeline could be shortened depending on the frequency of meetings, boundaries being agreed quickly and agreeing a draft to go out to consultation. The funding covered the consultant costs, implementation and signs and lines but did not cover enforcement. Drones could not be used as there was strict criteria regarding camera enforcement. There were also strict rules about qualified officers only being able to undertake enforcement.

In terms of the delay in issuing parking permits this would be included in the review. A further question was asked about selling cars on the highway  this was illegal and would require enforcement and education.

In response to another query it was confirmed that the compliance survey and stress survey would be part and parcel of the brief which the project board would decide upon.

RESOLVED: That Members would email the Chairman with expressions of interest regards serving on the Parking Project Group.  The slides would be attached to the Minutes.