Local authority news Consulting on charge increases More action on illegally parked HGVs Ashford Borough Council has enhanced its parking enforcement work to tackle the ongoing issue of HGVs parking overnight illegally in certain areas. On a trial basis, the councils contractor, as well as clamping the HGVs, will be able to issue the enforcement notices for illegal parking. The contractor will no longer require a civil enforcement officer to be present, providing greater flexibility for deploying its staff and enabling the periods of monitoring to be expanded. The scheme, which allows authorities to clamp and fine drivers, was introduced in 2017 as a collaboration between Ashford Borough Council, Kent County Council and the Department for Transport (DfT). A key part of the scheme, which was agreed with the DfT, involved a change in the national clamping policy for HGVs so that a clamp could be fitted for first-time offences. Since the original scheme was introduced, more than 4,300 illegally parked vehicles have been clamped. Transport insight for Newham Council The London Borough of Newham has partnered with VivaCity, a transport technology scale-up, to support the boroughs 15 Minute Neighbourhood Programme. As part of the governments Levelling Up fund, Newham has been awarded almost 40m. The council is using the fund to deliver the programme, which aims to bring new opportunities and vibrancy to the area. VivaCitys sensors give detailed, anonymous insights on road usage and have been specified to conduct multi-modal traffic monitoring. This includes high street footfall and active travel data insights, which will be used to quantify and communicate return on investment. Members from North East Lincs Council being presented with their award by Huw Merriman MP North East Lincs steals the show North East Lincolnshire Council has been judged overall winner of PATROLs 2022 Promoting Awareness of Civil Enforcement through Reporting (PACER) Awards. The councils 2020/21 Annual Report on its parking and traffic operations came out on top among a host of excellent submissions to PATROLs awards programme this year. Other PACER winners were: Dacorum Borough Council: Best for Customer Service Hampshire County Council: Best for Finance and Statistics Gloucestershire County Council: Best for Innovation and New Services Devon County Council: Best Concise Report North Essex Parking Partnership: Best Use of Design East Sussex County Council: Best Use of Digital Channels The winners were presented with their awards during a reception at the House of Commons on Tuesday 12 July, hosted by Huw Merriman, MP for Bexhill and Battle and Chair of the Transport Committee. On behalf of the Joint Committee, Id like to congratulate North East Lincolnshire and all the other winners on their hugely impressive reports this year, said Laura Padden, director of PATROL. The quality, creativity and scope of reports continue to get better, inspiring others to excel in their communications with the public, with yet more new authorities in the mix this time round. A consultation on offstreet parking charges in Bath and North East Somerset closed last month. The decision to increase off-street parking charges was agreed by the council in February and will be only the second time parking charges have increased since 2010. The changes are being made to help reduce congestion and improve air quality by encouraging more people to use Baths park and ride services and other forms of public transport, as well as encouraging walking, wheeling and cycling for local journeys. Sandwell Council has also held a consultation on proposed changes to its parking charges, which will bring it in line with other Black Country boroughs charges. In July, cabinet members considered a report to review parking charges for the first time in six years. The proposals have also been designed to support small businesses, including through a new lowcost 30-minute parking charge. Subject to cabinet member approval, the new charges will come into force in January 2023. 12 PN Oct 2022 pp12-13 LA News.indd 12 23/09/2022 14:04