REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

Spatial Strategy

PART II

DECRIMINALISED PARKING ENFORCEMENT

Under the 1991 Road Traffic Act the Highway Authority can apply to the Secretary of State for approval of Special Parking Areas (SPAs) and Permitted Parking Areas (PPAs). This allows a local authority to take over responsibility from the Police to:

(i) issue and charge for parking permits;

(ii) enforce parking restrictions, including yellow line restrictions;

(iii) receive the income from penalties; and

(iv) manage and prioritise parking enforcement

The legislation decriminalises parking offences and all revenue from charges and penalty charges is received by local authorities to offset enforcement costs, with any surplus generated being used to improve parking provision.

Decriminalised parking was first introduced in Winchester in May 1996, which was supported by the Chief Constable for Hampshire, with further amendments made in October 2003. The introduction of these new powers have proved successful and in the light of experience gained in Winchester, the Chief Constable has no objection in principle to these new arrangements being extended to other parts of Hampshire. A number of district and borough councils have expressed an interest in running decriminalised parking schemes under agency arrangements with the County Council. To date, decriminalised parking enforcement is successfully operating in Hart District, Rushmoor Borough, Basingstoke and Deane Borough and Test Valley Borough.

In respect of Rushmoor Borough Council, a further decision was taken on 7 April 2004 to allow on-street parking charges to be introduced for limited period parking spaces at selected locations within the Borough. The parking charges, as part of an overall parking strategy, will be set at various levels which helps to regulate parking trends and encourages motorists to use facilities appropriate to their needs. Charges set at a premium rate increases usage of off-street car parks and maintains access and availability of prime on-street parking spaces to those who need them. The decision taken supports Aim 2 of the Corporate Strategy (Stewardship of the environment).

In pursuance of the County Council's programme, Havant Borough have approval to establish SPAs and PPAs and will manage on-street and off-street parking enforcement under an agency arrangement, Eastleigh Borough are due to move to new arrangements on 1 October 2004 and New Forest District, Gosport Borough and Fareham Borough are all considering the process. East Hampshire District Council is not intending to introduce decriminalised parking enforcement at this stage.

JONATHAN K. GLEN

Executive Member

for Spatial Strategy