Local authority news Oxfordshire CEOs to offer help in pilot extension of Ask for Angela scheme Civil enforcement officers in Oxfordshire are being trained to offer help to people who feel unsafe or at risk, in a bid to help tackle violence against women, girls and vulnerable people. The scheme an extension of the national Ask for Angela campaign that started in bars and pubs in 2016 will mean parking officers become an initial point of contact for anyone who needs help. Oxfordshire County Councils parking contractor, Conduent Transportation, is working with police to train officers to identify someone in a vulnerable situation and assist them. Anyone who feels threatened can approach an officer and discreetly use the code phrase by asking for Angela, thereby alerting the trained staff to the situation. Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Councils cabinet member for community services and safety, said: This is an incredibly worthwhile initiative, and we are delighted to be trialling it first in Oxfordshire. Conduent and its officers are pioneering a new approach that we hope will make our streets safer for everyone. Jade Neville, head of user experience UK parking, at Conduent Transportation, said: Conduent is proud to be the first on-street parking provider in the country to join the Ask for Angela campaign and make its contribution to improving safety on the countys streets. Enforcement officer Roberta Santos said: The training helped me to identify a person in a vulnerable situation, or someone who does not appear comfortable. After this training, I am confident in my ability to help a person in need. Conduent CEOs receiving their Ask for Angela training Six traffic-filter cameras will be trialled in Oxford after work at the citys railway station is complete. The traffic filters designed to reduce congestion, and make bus journeys faster and walking and cycling safer will be implemented under an experimental traffic regulation order for a minimum of six months. If a vehicle passes through the filter at certain times of the day, the camera will read the number plate and, if the vehicle does not have an exemption or a residents permit, the driver will receive a fine in the post. During the trial, the county council will assess the impact of the scheme by monitoring traffic levels, bus journey times and air quality. Newcastle set to remodel services Newcastle City Council is planning to remodel key services in a bid to save 23.2m next year rising to 63.2m over the next three years. The plan is set out in the councils Delivering for Our Communities: Our Medium-Term Financial Plan for 2023-24 to 2025-26 and includes reviewing options for changing charges for car parking in the city centre to reduce congestion and balance demand. The cabinet met in November to consider the plans and a public consultation ran into the new year, to give residents a say on the proposals. Council gets tough on street parking A Hertfordshire council is stepping up enforcement of double-yellow lines. Civil enforcement officers working for Three Rivers District Council may instantly issue parking penalties for any vehicles observed parked on double-yellow lines that are clearly not unloading or loading, or on singleyellow lines during restricted times. Even when a vehicle is loading or unloading, if it is causing a trafficflow issue and considered dangerous, an instant ticket may be issued. Previously, motorists have been given a five-minute observation period, after which a penalty charge notice would be issued. The update to the councils parking policy comes in response to concerns raised by a number of local residents and businesses. Leeds moves to new payment provider Leeds City Council is working with a new parking provider. The council will now use PayByPhone, which enables motorists to pay via an app. Payment can also be made via an automated payment service line. 13