Next steps in applying to take over illegal parking enforcement
When asked what the main parking issues are in Telford and Wrekin, most people said it was bad parking around schools and on pavements.
The initial findings come from early analysis of a consultation organised by Telford & Wrekin Council into its plans to take over parking enforcement from West Mercia Police.
The borough has been without police traffic wardens since 2009 and, although it is still currently for police to enforce illegal parking offences, they often don’t have the resources to do so.
The Council receives a lot of concerns from residents about illegal parking and is therefore looking to take over this role, known as Civil Parking Enforcement. The Council’s Finance & Enterprise Scrutiny Committee and Customer, Community & Partnership Scrutiny Committee Committee will be updated on progress when they meet on Wednesday 28 November.
Cllr Richard Overton, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Enforcement, said: “More than a thousand people responded to our consultation survey which showed support for the Council taking over parking enforcement.
“They have told us what the main issues are and, using our own staff, we will address them through a culture of education first and, if necessary, enforcement later.
“We will not use an outside company. We will employ our own Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers who will have a range of powers at their disposal to deal with a variety of issues such as anti-social behaviour and environmental crime. Parking enforcement will be part of their work.
“It will not be about making money or issuing fines. It will be about making sure people don’t park where they shouldn’t and that our free car parks, which will remain free, are used properly.
“This is made possible by the £200,000 funding from the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner agreed with the Council’s Leader to cover the first four years of the scheme. We will discuss further funding beyond that time with our town and parish councils.
A more detailed report will be submitted to Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet for its meeting on Thursday 3 January. Subject to the Cabinet’s approval, the Council will submit is application to the Department for Transport for the transfer of enforcement powers from the police.
The application is due to be considered by the Department for Transport in the autumn of 2019, we are told this delay is due to their work on the impact of Brexit. The Council hopes to implement the new scheme in early 2020.
