Parking control shows slight cost increase (From Thurrock Gazette)

Parking control shows slight cost increase

8:00am Thursday 21st June 2012 in News

THE cost of running Thurrock Council’s parking enforcement department rose by £90,000 last year.

The authority’s profit was down by £97,251 on 2010/11, to £63,029, as the council spent more on things such as enforcement, administration and appeals.

The annual parking report, presented to the council’s cabinet last Wednesday, showed the number of on street penalty charges increased slightly last year by 82 to 10,960 notices, but off street penalty notices fell by 42 to 1,557.

Among the achievements listed were taking on three permanent civil enforcement officers in posts previously covered by agency workers, maintenance work in six car parks and introducing free parking for the first 15 minutes at on-street pay and display bays.

The council also trialled different types of chest mounted security cameras, worn by traffic wardens to improve their safety, and now plans to introduce cameras for all officers this financial year.

The report also confirms the council is still investigating bringing in a CCTV car.

It said: “The council has been investigating options for the introduction of a CCTV enforcement vehicle, to augment the role of the civil enforcement officer. It is anticipated the findings will be reported to and considered by cabinet shortly.

“The vehicle would mainly be used for the enforcment of parking in hard to reach areas, such as outside schools, at bus stops and in no waiting/loading areas.”