Decriminalised Parking Enforcement

1. Decriminalised Parking Enforcement ‘Delivery Progress Report’ Transportation & Asset Management Environment & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee 27 June 2007

2. Decriminalised Parking Enforcement Progress Delivery Report Delivering DPE • Executive Board (13 February 2007) • Implementation - 01 March 2008 • In-House Enforcement Team • Regional Notice Processing - Wales Penalty Processing Partnership (WPPP). • RTA Associates Ltd - Appointed Consultants • Project Delivery • Traffic Regulation Order Review • Officer Steering Group established comprising: - Traffic & Safety - Legal - Car Parks - North Wales Police - Finance & Performance - Wales Penalty Processing Partnership - Information Technology - RTA Associates - Communications - Members

3. Decriminalised Parking Enforcement Progress Delivery Report Officer Steering Group • Group’s functions are being co-ordinated by RTA Associates Ltd and broadly involve the following processes: • Preparation of Draft / Formal SPA Application • Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) Review • IT Systems Procurement and Implementation • Consultation Strategy • Setting up a DPE Enforcement Team • Staff Procedures Manual & Enforcement Regime

4. Decriminalised Parking Enforcement Progress Delivery Report Preparation of Draft/Formal SPA Application • Draft SPA Application submitted to WAG • WAG Response • Formal Application Processing Time - 5 Months Required • Enforcement Exemptions - High speed / standard A483/A5 • National Parking Adjudication Service (NPAS) - Instructed to join the Adjudication Service and nominate independent hearing locations. • Traffic Management Act 2004 (Part 6 – Civil Parking Enforcement) - Timetable for introduction – Spring 2008? • Formal Application to be submitted in August 2007

5. Decriminalised Parking Enforcement Progress Delivery Report TRO Review (Delivered in Two Phases) • Phase 1 – Accuracy Check • Essential that this phase of the TRO review is complete prior to DPE implementation date. • Phase one of the TRO Review process can not include or facilitate wholesale changes to these orders. • Phase 2 – Appropriateness Check • To be undertaken following the successful introduction of DPE. • To ensure that all parking related TRO’s in the County Borough are relevant and serve their intended purpose. • This exercise will facilitate the creation of new TRO’s and where appropriate modifications to existing.

6. Decriminalised Parking Enforcement Progress Delivery Report TRO Review (Continued) • Phase 1 – Accuracy Check (Currently on-track and within budget)

7. Decriminalised Parking Enforcement Progress Delivery Report IT Systems Procurement & Implementation • The benefits of regional collaboration for Wrexham are that the detailed work involved in setting up the systems at WPPP have already been undertaken for both Gwynedd and Anglesey e.g. • The IT operating systems and procedure manuals have been in operation for some time and appear to be working satisfactorily. • Relatively straight forward process for Wrexham to join the partnership. - Replicating existing systems and tailoring them to Wrexham’s requirements. • Economies of scale through procurement via WPPP • Expressions of interest from potential new partners e.g. Flintshire & Powys will enhance further the savings through regional collaboration. • Wrexham’s IT Officer is working closely with RTA and the WPPP to ensure Wrexham’s in-house IT operations are compatible with the requirements of the WPPP.

8. Decriminalised Parking Enforcement Progress Delivery Report Consultation Strategy • The guidance on DPE states that there is no legal requirement for consultation in relation to an application for DPE. However it is considered best practice and experience from elsewhere indicates that a public information exercise results in: “ A better understanding and appreciation of what the Authority is trying to achieve and therefore greater compliance with parking controls ” • In conjunction with the Council’s communications officer, a comprehensive information strategy is being prepared. This will include: - Press Releases (Local/Regional Newspapers/Radio) - Leaflet drop to all households in the County borough - Council’s Digital TV & Internet - Connect Magazine • Publicity campaign programmed for Jan/Feb 2008.

9. Decriminalised Parking Enforcement Progress Delivery Report Setting Up DPE Enforcement Team • The majority of the work associated with the setting up of the DPE Enforcement Team has been programmed towards the end of the year (Nov/Dec). This broadly involves the following: • Identifying accommodation (Parking attendants) • Developing an Enforcement Strategy (Define beats, etc) • Recruitment & Training Requirements (Parking Attendants x 2) • Equipment Procurement (e.g. transport, uniforms, phones etc) • Officers have been proactive in this area and are in the process of: • Identifying suitable accommodation for Parking Attendants (PA’s) • Developing an enforcement regime for the County Borough using information obtained over the last 14 months from the PCSO • Developing a job profile to be used in the recruitment of PA’s • Identifying options for the joint procurement of equipment through the WPPP.

10. Decriminalised Parking Enforcement Progress Delivery Report Staff Procedures Manual • The following have been programmed and will be considered towards the end of this year. • Debt Recovery (unpaid PCN’s) • Dispensations (e.g. street works, building works etc) • Appeals Process (required to join NPAS) - Officers have been looking at suitable independent premises for NPAS appeals to be heard in Wrexham. Ultimately the decision is made by NPAS officials. The following locations have been identified and nominated to NPAS. - Ramada Hotel - North East Wales Institute (NEWI) Other Business • Regional Collaboration (WPPP) • Draft Service Level Agreement has been prepared. • Establishment of a board under discussion (separate to Taith Board)

11. Decriminalised Parking Enforcement Progress Delivery Report Further Report • 24 October 2007 (Provisional) • Update on steering group’s actions • Any developments relating to the proposed introduction of Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act in Wales. • Regional Collaboration (WPPP) - Constitutional Arrangements - Service Level Agreements