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Report to:
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Lead Member for
Transport and Environment
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Date of
meeting:
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25 September
2023
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By:
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Director of
Communities, Economy and Transport
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Title:
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Creation of a single
Parking Board
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Purpose:
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To authorise the
creation of a single Parking Board covering all four areas of Civil
Parking Enforcement.
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RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Lead Member is
recommended to:
(1)
Agree the Terms of
Reference set out in Appendix 1
(2)
Authorise the
creation of a single Parking Board covering all four areas of Civil
Parking Enforcement.
1
Background Information
1.1.
There are four areas of Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) which were
introduced several years apart. Hastings Borough 1999, Lewes
District 2004, Eastbourne Borough 2008 and Rother District 2020.
Two separate Joint Parking Boards that meet twice a year were first
set up with Hastings Borough and Lewes District councils.
1.2.
The initial role of the Joint Parking Boards was to ensure the
ethos under which the CPE scheme is operated takes account of local
circumstances and needs. Ensure the appropriate public and
stakeholder consultation is undertaken where relevant and to keep
the relevant executives of both Councils informed on relevant
matters.
1.3
The boards are comprised of County,
District, and Borough Councillors and officers, although they do
not have any executive decision-making powers.
2 Supporting Information
2.
2.1.
The legislation that covers CPE is the Traffic Management Act 2004.
In the statutory
Guidance for local authorities on enforcing parking
restrictions it emphasises the importance of dialogue
and joint activities with other authorities and services. The
Council is committed to open dialogue and receiving suggestions
from the borough and district councils for improvements to East
Sussex County Council (ESCC)’s on-street parking schemes.
Joint parking boards also give the councils attending the
opportunity to update each other about changes in their area,
national legislation, developments in enforcement and innovations
to services.
2.2.
Our two Joint Boards are currently held separately, although the
Terms of Reference for the Lewes and Hastings Joint Parking Boards
(appendix 2 and 3) include similar points and overall have the same
objectives. Board meetings are held every six months, each meeting
is attended by the enforcement contractor NSL, that produce a
report for each area detailing the previous six months activities
and parking issues in each area (appendices 4 and 5).
2.3.
Through 2020 and 2021 the impact of Covid restrictions on meetings
and pressures on local authorities resulted in the pausing of all
the parking boards.
2.4.
With the introduction of CPE into Rother District in September 2020
and the Council receiving a request from Eastbourne Borough to
establish a Parking Board, we are proposing a change of the current
format of Parking Boards to include all areas with CPE. This will
ensure we look at the county as a whole, where appropriate, have a
consistent approach across all areas and make best use of the time
of all those attending.
2.5.
It is proposed to hold one collective meeting for all CPE areas,
twice a year with representatives from all four CPE areas in
attendance. One meeting to be held in May with service updates and
enforcement activity reports. One meeting to be held in November
would include a review of the Annual Parking Report and financial
performance, starting in 2024. Having one collective meeting will
maintain the Council’s engagement with borough and district
councils, and allow for consistent scrutiny of all the parking
schemes. Whilst also making the most efficient use of
Members’ and officer time.
2.6.
Appendix 1 details the proposed Terms of Reference for a single
joint Board meeting subject to the approval of the Lead Member for
Transport and Environment.
3 Conclusion and Reasons for
Recommendations
3.
3.1.
To revise how the current joint Parking Boards are held, to include
all four CPE areas, ensuring a consistent approach across the
county and making the best use of Members’ and
officer’s time.
3.2.
It is recommended to change the current format and hold one
collective meeting every six months with representatives from all
four areas.
3.3.
It is recommended to agree the new Terms of Reference as shown in
Appendix 1.
Director of Communities, Economy
and Transport
Contact Officer:
Daniel Clarke
Tel. No. 01273 464057
Email: Daniel.clarke@eastsussex.gov.uk
LOCAL
MEMBERS
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BACKGROUND
DOCUMENTS
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