Gateshead Oct 2008

8/8/2019 Gateshead Oct 2008

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Gateshead Council

Parking EnforcementAnnual Report 2007/08


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Purpose of the Annual Report

Under Section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended by the TrafficManagement Act 2004, all English authorities must keep an account of all income andexpenditure in designated (i.e. on-street) parking spaces which are in a CivilEnforcement Area, and of their income and expenditure related to their functions as anenforcement authority.

Regulations and guidance confirm that in respect of off-street parking places i.e. carparks), the term income and expenditure as enforcement authorities includes that

related to the issue of Penalty Charge Notices. It does not, for example, include pay anddisplay or permit/season ticket income or the direct expenditure relating to collecting thatincome.

This annual report is intended to explain to the public and stakeholders how the serviceis managed in Gateshead and to provide information regarding its performance.Reporting is an important part of accountability, as the transparency given by regularand consistent reporting helps the public understand and accept Civil ParkingEnforcement.

This report provides details of Gateshead Councils parking enforcement arrangementsfrom 02 July 2007 31 March 2008.


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Table of Contents

1.0 PARKING CONTROL OBJECTIVES p4

1.1 Background p41.2 Policy Context p4

2.0 GATESHEAD PARKING PROFILE p62.1 Car Parks p62.1.1 The Safer Parking Scheme p92.2 On Street p102.2.1 Metered Parking Bays p10

2.2.2 Dedicated Disabled Bays p102.2.3 Police Vehicle Only Bays p102.2.4 Permit Parking Zones p11

3.0 PARKING ENFORCEMENT p143.1 Parking Enforcement Protocol p143.2 Implementation Plan p153.3 Deployment Strategy p164.0 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE p174.1 Parking Services Revenue Budget

5.0 STATISTICAL PERFORMANCE p205.1 Off Street Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) p205.2 On Street Penalty Charge Notices p20

5.3 Cancellations p205.4 Payment Stage p215.5 Challenges and Representations p21

6.0 PERFORMANCE INDICATORS p22

APPENDICESA Month by month breakdown of PCNs issued in Car Parks p25

B PCNs issued by Car Park p27C PCNs issued in Council Car Parks by Contraventions p29D Month by month breakdown of PCNs issued in On-street p31E PCNs issued for On-street Parking Contraventions p33F Month by month breakdown of PCNs cancelled p35G PCNs cancelled as a percentage of the number issued p37


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1.0 PARKING CONTROL OBJECTIVES

1.1 Background

Primary legislation set out in the Traffic Management Act 2004 imposes a new statutory dutyon all local traffic authorities to manage their highway network so as to achieve, as far asreasonably practicable and taking into account their other duties and responsibilities, theexpeditious movement of traffic on their highways (i.e. both pedestrian and vehicular). Anefficient, proactive enforcement regime to combat inconsiderate parking is seen as anessential element in fulfilling this duty.

The 1991 Road Traffic Act provided for local authorities to apply for powers to decriminaliseparking offences. These powers allowed local authorities to take over the responsibility forenforcing parking restrictions from the Police and to retain the income received from thepenalties to fund their enforcement activities. Under this legislation, offences aredecriminalised, so that a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is a charge to the Council not a finepayable to the Police or a Magistrates Court. Other highway offences, which can give rise toendorsement of a licence remain a criminal offence and continue to be enforced byNorthumbria Police i.e. dangerous parking, obstruction.

The main advantages of local authority enforcement of regulations are as follows:

Effective implementation of parking policies seeking improved traffic flow, bettermanagement of traffic levels, fewer accidents, a fairer distribution of parking spacesand more pleasant streets.

Better monitoring of the effectiveness and value of regulations

Ability of local authorities to use the revenue from charges to fund enforcement withany surplus used for improving off-street parking or other transport related measures.

1.2 Policy Context

The District Annexe for Gateshead of the Local Transport Plan states with respect to parkingthat:

"Gateshead Council will control on and off-street parking to support the economic viability ofthe Borough, regeneration initiatives and reduce the adverse environmental impacts of cartravel."


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The Gateshead Transport Strategy Statement brings together the main themes of the LTPtogether with other transport related strategies in a single summary document for Gateshead.This recognises the importance of:

Resolving localised parking problems, particularly where demand for parking is greaterthan supply due to commuter parking or high levels of car ownership;

Identifying ways of reducing the problems of parked vehicles obstructing pavements; Effective management of car parking, including appropriate levels of charging in

Gateshead town centre and other important locations throughout the Borough

The councils policy acknowledges that parking contributes significantly to many of the

problems it seeks to address such as delays to public transport, junction safety and safetyaround schools.

The Councils parking control objectives are to:

Minimise the use of vehicles in the busiest and congested areas at what experienceand research shows to be the most appropriate times;

At the same time provide sufficient short-stay parking facilities to support shops/commercial organisations and leisure activities thereby underpinning social andeconomic life;

Reduce the risk of accidents; Safeguard the needs and requirements of residents, businesses/ organisations and

visitors;

Improve traffic conditions;

Encourage the use of public transport; Preserve and improve the infrastructure and the general environment; Increase and improve pedestrian and cyclist mobility;

Regulate and control parking both on and off street.

Parking operations will contribute towards these objectives by providing:

On and off street enforcement by patrolling permitted and restricted areas together withthe Councils off street car parks and parking places and issuing PCNs in regard tocontraventions observed;

Management and administration of suspensions/ dispensations; Ongoing checking of (1) adequacy of signs and markings; and (2) possible and actual

faulty Pay & Display machines/ meters (P&Ds);

P it ki h


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2.0 GATESHEADS PARKING PROFILE

2.1 Car Parks

Back Durham Road Car Park, BirtleyFree car park. No annual permits applicable. Car park marked out in bays withdesignated disabled bays.

Back Harraton Terrace Car Park, BirtleyFree car park. No annual permits applicable. No markings or dedicated disabled bays.

Back Walker Terrace/Back Regent Terrace Car Park, GatesheadPermit Holders only Monday Friday 8.00am to 6pm. Charges apply on Saturday andSunday. Car park marked out in bays. No designated disabled bays.

Baltic Car Park, GatesheadCharges apply 8.00am to 9.00pm all days. Annual permit scheme in operation. Carpark marked out in bays with designated disabled bays.

Blaydon Shopping Precinct Car Park, BlaydonFree car park. No annual permits applicable. Car park marked out in bays withdesignated disabled bays.

Church Street Car Park, GatesheadCharges apply 8.00am to 9.00pm all days. Annual permit scheme in operation. Carpark marked out in bays with designated disabled and motorcycle bays.

Claremont Street Car Park, GatesheadFree car park. No annual permits applicable. Car park marked out in bays with nodesignated disabled bays.

Coach Park, GatesheadCharges apply 8.00am to 9.00pm all days. Only coaches are eligible to park in this carpark.

Computer House, High Street, GatesheadPermit Holders only Monday Friday 8.00am to 6pm. Free car park Saturday andSunday. Car park marked out in bays. No designated disabled bays.

Cromwell Place Car Park Winlaton


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Felling Metro Car Park, FellingCharges apply 7.00am to 8.00pm all days. Car park marked out in bays withdesignated disabled bays.

Felling Shopping Precinct Victoria Square Car Park, FellingFree car park. No annual permits applicable. Car park marked out in bays withdesignated disabled bays.

Fewster Square Meresyde Car Park, Leam LaneFree car park. No annual permits applicable. Car park marked out in bays withdesignated disabled bays.

Fewster Square Whinbrooke Car Park, Leam LaneFree car park. No annual permits applicable. Car park marked out in bays withdesignated disabled bays.

Garden Street Car Park, GatesheadCharges apply 8.00am to 9.00pm all days. Annual permit scheme in operation. Carpark marked out in bays with designated disabled bays.

Gateshead Leisure Centre Car Park, GatesheadFree car park. No annual permits applicable. Car park marked out in bays withdesignated disabled bays.

Heworth North Car Park, HeworthCharges apply 7.00am to 8.00pm all days. Annual permit scheme in operation. Car

park marked out in bays with designated disabled bays.

Heworth South Car Park, HeworthCharges apply 7.00am to 8.00pm all days. Car park marked out in bays withdesignated disabled bays.

High Street Car Park, FellingFree car park. No annual permits applicable. No markings or dedicated disabled bays.

Hilda House Car Park, GatesheadPermit Holders only Monday Friday 8.00am to 6pm. Free car park Saturday andSunday. Car park marked out in bays with designated disabled bays.

Lowerys Lane Car Park Low Fell


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Multi-storey Car Park, West Street, GatesheadCharges apply 8.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Saturday. Car park marked out in bayswith designated disabled bays.

Pipewellgate Car Park, GatesheadCharges apply 8.00am to 9.00pm all days. Annual permit scheme in operation. Carpark marked out in bays with designated disabled bays.

Prince Consort Road Car Park, GatesheadFree car park. No annual permits applicable. Car park marked out in bays withdesignated disabled and motorcycle bays.

Ravensworth Road Car Park, DunstonFree car park. No annual permits applicable. Car park marked out in bays withdesignated disabled bays.

Regent Court Car Park, GatesheadCharges apply 8.00am to 6.00pm all days. Annual permit scheme in operation. Carpark marked out in bays with designated disabled and motorcycle bays.

Ryton RFC Car Park, RytonFree car park. No annual permits applicable. Car park marked out in bays with nodesignated disabled bays.

South Shore Road Car Park, GatesheadCharges apply 8.00am to 9.00pm all days. Annual permit scheme in operation. Car

park marked out in bays with designated disabled and motorcycle bays.

St Bedes Drive Car Park, GatesheadPermit Holders only Monday Friday 8.00am to 6pm. Free car park Saturday andSunday. Car park marked out in bays. No designated disabled bays.

Sunderland Road Car Park, GatesheadFree car park. No annual permits applicable. No markings or dedicated disabled bays.

Swalwell Bank Car Park, SwalwellFree car park. No annual permits applicable. Car park marked out in bays with nodesignated disabled bays.

Swinburne Street Car Park Gateshead


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Whickham Shopping Precinct Car Park (East), WhickhamFree car park. No annual permits applicable. Car park marked out in bays withdesignated disabled bays.

Whickham Shopping Precinct Car Park (West), Whickham -Free car park. No annual permits applicable. Car park marked out in bays with nodesignated disabled bays.

Winlaton Central Car Park, WinlatonFree car park. No annual permits applicable. Car park marked out in bays with nodesignated disabled bays.

Wrekenton Centre Car Park, WrekentonFree car park. No annual permits applicable. Car park marked out in bays withdesignated disabled bays.

2.1.1 The Safer Parking Scheme

The Safer Parking Scheme is managed by the British Parking Association in conjunction withthe Association of Chief Police Officers. The scheme was introduced by the Government inorder to promote safe and secure parking facilities all over the country. High securitystandards reduce the fear and perception of crime.

To be awarded a 'Park Mark' car parks are independently judged to have achieved highstandards of security. Owners and operators must meet a stringent set of standards, including

good design and management and provide an effective level of security patrols, good lightingand help points.

Over 1120 car parks in the UK currently hold Park Mark status and operators as well as usershave seen the benefits of increased security within car parks. In recognition of our investmentin security, Gateshead Council is proud to be the holder of seven of these prestigious awards.

The public car parks that have achieved the Park Mark Award are:

Baltic Car Park, Gateshead Quays

Church Street Car Park, Gateshead Quays

Swinburne Street Car Park, Gateshead

Heworth North (Long Stay) Car Park, Heworth Back Durham Road (North) Car Park, Birtley
http://www.securedcarparks.com/http://www.britishparking.co.uk/http://www.acpo.police.uk/http://www.acpo.police.uk/http://www.britishparking.co.uk/http://www.securedcarparks.com/


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2.2 On Street

On street enforcement is carried out in all areas where Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs)

exist.

There are 103km of waiting restriction in the authoritys area

2.2.1 Metered Parking Bays are in operation on the following streets within the borough:

High Street, Gateshead operating 08:30 17:30 Monday to Saturday

Hudson Street, Gateshead operating 08:30 17:30 Monday to Friday Lambton Street, Gateshead operating 08:00 18:00 All days Nelson Street, Gateshead operating 08:00 18:00 All days

Swinburne Place, Gateshead operating 08:00 18:00 All days

Swinburne Street, Gateshead operating 08:00 18:00 All days

Walker Terrace, Gateshead operating 08:30 17:30 Monday to Saturday

This is not a definitive list, as additional streets will be added in the future in accordance withthe Councils parking strategy.

2.2.2 Dedicated Disabled Bays are in operation on the following streets within the borough:

Durham Road, Low Fell Ellison Street, Gateshead

Front Street, Whickham Galloping Green Road, Wrekenton Gladstone Terrace, Gateshead Jackson Street, Gateshead

Longrigg Lane, Leam Lane Performance Square Access Road, Gateshead

Service areas to the west of Leam Lane

South Shore Road, Gateshead St. Marys Square Loop Road, Gateshead

Stirling Lane, Rowlands Gill West Street, Gateshead Worchester Green Access Road, Gateshead


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2.2.4 Permit Parking Zones are in operation on the following streets within the borough:

Zone A Church Chare, Whickham

Hours of operation = All day, every dayStreets included: Church Chare

Zone B Duckpool Lane, Whickham

Hours of operation = All day, every dayStreets included: Duckpool Lane

Zone C Queen Elizabeth Avenue Area

Hours of operation = Mon Fri, 9.00am 6.00pmStreets included: Charnwood Gardens

Windy Nook RoadQueen Elizabeth AvenueSouthend Road

Zone D Bewick Road, Gateshead

Hours of operation = Mon Fri, 9.00am 10.00am, 2.00pm - 3.00pmStreets included: Bewick Road

Zone E Coburg Street, Gateshead

Hours of operation = Mon Fri, 9.00am 6.00pmStreets included: Coburg Street

Zone F Denmark Street, Gateshead

Hours of operation = Mon Fri, 9.00am 6.00pmStreets included: Denmark Street

Zone G Denmark Street, Gateshead

Hours of operation = Mon Fri, 9.00am 6.00pmProperty included: O/S 26 Denmark Street only (one permit only issued for this

zone)


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Zone J Worcester Green Area

Hours of operation = Mon Fri, 9.00am 6.00pm

Streets included: Worcester GreenPeterborough CloseChichester Close

Zone K Gateshead Leisure Centre Area

Hours of operation = Mon Fri, 9.00am 6.00pmStreets included: Alexandra Road

St Albans Terrace

Zone L Villa Place, Gateshead

Hours of operation = Mon Fri, 9.00am 6.00pmStreets included: Villa Place

Zone M Low Heworth Lane Area

Hours of operation = Mon Fri, 9.00am 6.00pmStreets included: Low Heworth Lane

Netherfarm Road

Zone N Sunderland Road Area

Hours of operation = Mon Fri, 9.00am 6.00pmStreets included: Ridley TerraceStowell TerraceThe BungalowsSt Marys Terrace

Zone O Sunderland Road Villas, Heworth

Hours of operation = Mon Fri, 9.00am 6.00pmStreets included: Sunderland Road Villas

Zone P The Drive, Heworth



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Zone R Clement Street, Low Fell


Streets included: Clement Street

Zone T Stephenson Terrace, Felling

Hours of operation = Mon Fri, 9.00am 6.00pmStreets included: Stephenson Terrace

This is not a definitive list, as additional zones will be added in the future in accordance with

the Councils parking strategy.


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3.0 PARKING ENFORCEMENT

The enforcement operation is carried out by Parking Attendants (PAs). Through an

examination of the factors that provided the greatest long-term benefits in terms of quality ofservice, the Council chose to commence DPE using an internal enforcement/internal noticeprocessing system.

The Parking enforcement element of the function is another integrated component of theNeighbourhood Warden Service, benefiting from the strong links that the service has with keystrategic partners such as the police, The Gateshead Housing Company and Nexus. Adedicated first-line manager has been introduced although the new element shares overall

service and operational management arrangements. This builds on the principle of developinga mutually supporting neighbourhood warden service with a particular emphasis oncommunity safety.

Key operational support to parking enforcement is provided by the services OperationsCentre at Shearlegs Road Depot, which operates 24 hours 7 days a week. This facility alsooffers potential for future traffic enforcement using CCTV systems.

In order to reduce the risk of the authority being unable to achieve financial sustainability inproviding a quality enforcement service in the first two years, it is proposed that an interimscheme be considered as an initial phase.

The interim scheme, throughout the first year, is based on a reduced number of PAs beingdeployed relative to the ultimate enforcement resource. This reflects the fact that it will takesome time to develop an effective enforcement strategy as compliance levels will fluctuatefrom area to area once the scheme matures and becomes respected.

The interim option is intended as a short-term scheme over the first 18 - 24 months ofoperation and once initial operational issues have been resolved the system will migratetowards the full operation.

The Parking Services Team is jointly funded from monies generated by DPE and existingfunding generated by charged off-street car parks, on-street Pay & Display and residentparking schemes. To reflect the reduced number of PAs operating in the two years, theNotice Processing element of the staff will not be fully staffed during the two years ofoperation. The additional employees will be phased in over a period of 18 - 24 monthsdepending on workload.

3 1 E f t P t l


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Gateshead Parking Strategy:This outlines the policy framework for the operation of CPEand defines the role of parking in the overall transport and regeneration strategies of theCouncil.

Parking Services Procedures:This manual provides a detailed but user-friendly guidedescribing the daily tasks needed by the Council to administer all the activities associatedwith operating a CPE regime.

Gatesheads Enforcement Guidance:This is a dynamic reference document, producedpredominantly for the Notice Processing team within Parking Services and covering themajority of circumstances that regularly occur in letters, representations or appeals to the

Adjudicator. It is not intended to be a guide to processing Penalty Charge Notices, nor toreplace knowledge of the regulations and Councils policies and practices, but to provide areference manual for common situations that arise in letters, representations and appeals.For ease of use, categories have been listed in alphabetical order.

Gateshead Council is currently in discussion with other Local Authorities in the North EastRegion to try and develop regional policies with respect to how their enforcement duties areundertaken. This is intended to promote consistency of process as well as clarity and

transparency as all councils will work to an agreed set of policy and operational guidelines.

This approach will result in greater public understanding of and confidence in the enforcementprocesses, it will also move towards compliance with the aspirations of both the TPT and theLocal Government Ombudsman.

Parking Charter:This is a public declaration of Gateshead Councils commitment to providean effective, safe and friendly parking service

3.2 Implementation Plan

The Council felt it was essential to make the public aware of the implications ofDecriminalisation in Gateshead prior to its commencement and within the first few months ofoperation. An extensive media campaign commenced in December 2006, the principleobjective of which was to advise and prepare motorists for the forthcoming changes, to offeradvice on where and how to park legally, and to encourage the use of other modes oftransport. The media campaign included sizeable articles in the local newspapers andCouncil News, which is distributed free of charge to all households in Gateshead and thepreparation of a Glove box guide How NOT to get a parking ticket. This was available in freeof charge from Civic Building receptions, Libraries, etc. or posted out on request. The booklet

d t l l ith 20 000 b i i t d d di t ib t d M f th i th


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3.3 Deployment Strategy

Staff deployment is undertaken in shifts using a system of beats to cover areas where

enforcement is carried out. A deployment strategy for the Civil Enforcement Officers hasbeen established to achieve a certain frequency of patrol to the varying types of restrictionsand permitted parking places. CEOs are on duty throughout controlled hours, as applied tothe various zones within the borough, plus certain other hours outside of normal controlledhours, as needs dictate. The routine hours of the on-street operation are Monday to Saturday07:30 18:30, with a reduced evening resource operating between 18:30 and midnight;Sunday will be 9:30 18:00. The routine hours of the off-street operation are Monday toSaturday 07:00 20:00 and Sunday 10:00 18:00. These hours of operation are regularly

adjusted to provide an effective, proactive enforcement strategy for both on-street and off-street operations.


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4.0 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE (02 July 2007 31 March 2008)

The financial operation of a DPE system is broken down into two distinct elements namely

costs (expenditure) and income (revenue). The balance of these two elements identifieswhether the scheme will be sustainable in the medium to long term.

Costs are broken down into three areas:

Capital Expenditure Fixed elements irrespective of size and design. These includescheme design (SPA, Contracts, etc), media campaign, streetworks.

Revenue Expenditure Fixed elements irrespective of size and design. These include

enforcement software maintenance, printing, Adjudication Service, DVLA tracingcharges.

Revenue Expenditure Variable elements depending upon the size and design. Theseinclude Notice Processing and Parking Attendant costs.

The Capital set up costs, which included all Capital Expenditure and most fixed elements ofRevenue Expenditure, was 266,266, which was a direct cost to the council. The initial set upcosts of the Service was derived from capital resources allocated through the Local Transport

Plan.The actual set up costs exceeded the budgeted estimate of 218,000 as the council had tomake further amendments to statutory documentation and materials during March 2008 in linewith new legislation which came into force on the 31 March 2008.

Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 introduced Civil Parking Enforcement that isdesigned to create a more reasonable transparent and proportionate system of parkingenforcement that is applied consistently across the country.

The main changes between Decriminalised Parking Enforcement and Civil ParkingEnforcement (CPE) are detailed on the Council website www.gateshead.gov.uk .

The success of CPE depends on the dedication and quality of the staff that deliver it. It isessential to give staff at all levels the skills and training to do their jobs effectively if the

service is to command public confidence and respect. Prior to commencing enforcement inJuly 2007, all staff involved in the enforcement and Notice Processing of parkingcontraventions undertook training and attained the BTEC Level 2 Qualification in ParkingEnforcement. During March 2008, all staff in the enforcement and Notice Processing teamsundertook supplementary training in the new powers and implications of the new legislation.
http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/


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Individuals within the parking team appear well motivated and prepared for theimplementation of TMA.

Gateshead are to be commended in bring the administration of the Blue Badge schemeunder the Parking Service where there is synergy with operation and enforcement. This is apositive initiative, which other authorities could learn from.

4.1 Parking Services Revenue Budget

In accordance with the legislation, this does not include P&D Income from Car Parks.

Table 1 gives a breakdown of the Parking Budgets and year end outtun.

Table 1: Parking Account (02 July 2007 - 31 March 2008)

pursuant to s.55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as amended)

ITEM

IncomePenalty Charges (On-streetContraventions) 157,319Penalty Charges (Off-streetContraventions) 111,222

Pay & Display / Meters (On-street only) 55,180

Residents' & Visitors' Permits 22,902(Inclusive of 15k contribution fromNHS Trust)

Other non-PCN income 6,122

Total Income 352,745

Expenditure

NPAS (now TPT) 0

5,719 funded from Capital budget

this period*TEC (Northampton CC) 0

DPE Salary Costs 303,255PA Uniforms, Hand-held Computers,Printers 18,700

T t ti 11 466


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* To assist the financial management of the service in the initial 9 month period ofoperation, these costs were derived from capital resources allocated through the LocalTransport Plan. In future, TPT and DVLA cost will be charged to the Parking RevenueAccount.

The deficit of 9,046 was funded from other Council parking revenue resources.


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5.0 STATISTICAL PERFORMANCE (02 July 2007 31 March 2008)

5.1 Off Street Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs)

A total of 3,687 PCNs were issued within Gateshead Council managed car parks in theperiod 02 July 2007 31 March 2008)

In the first three months of operation, staff undertaking the parking enforcement operationwere not fully resourced. The Council were committed to ensuring that we delivered a muchmore visible parking enforcement deterrent on-street than was previously offered by thePolice. As such, when developing the initial deployment strategy we allocated less priority to

the car parks.

Appendix A gives the month by month breakdown of PCNs issued in Off-street locations.

Appendix B gives a full car park by car park breakdown.

Appendix C provides information about the reasons for the issue of a PCN.

5.2 On Street Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs)

A total of 5,364 PCNs were issued in the period 02 July 2007 31 March 2008) in respect ofon-street offences.

Similar to the Off-street situation, but possibly for different reasons, the graph in appendix Dshows a marked increase in the number of PCNs issued from October 2007. Whilst the

reduced number of enforcement officers in the first few months was a contributory factor, thelevels of parking compliance in certain areas did fluctuate considerably once effectiveenforcement action was carried out. It took 3 months to develop an effective deploymentstrategy that ensured that those areas that experience the greatest levels of abuse weremonitored efficiently.

Close to 40% of the PCNs concerned the contravention of waiting or loading restrictions

Appendix D gives the month by month breakdown of PCNs issued in on-street locations.

Appendix E provides information about the reasons for the issue of a PCN.

5 3 C ll ti


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Appendix G gives a breakdown of PCNs cancelled, shown as a percentage of the PCNsissued, per month.

5.4 Payment Stage

The Parking Services Procedures Document referred to in paragraph 3.1 above provides anoverview of parking penalty enforcement from the issue of a PCN to closing the case. Thisexplains the various stages involved in the Notice Processing and its impact on the penaltycharge amount.

Due to the limited time that the service has been operating and the legislative timeline thatmust be followed when processing a penalty charge, this information is of limited benefit. Itdoes give an indication however of the number of PCNs that are paid at the Discounted Rate(50%) and it will be interesting to see if this trend continues in future years.

Appendix H gives a graphical representation of PCN payments by stage.

5.5 Challenges, Representations and Appeals

A Challenge is an informal objection to the Council about the issue of a PCN received beforethe issue of the Notice to Owner (formal notice of the debt). A Representation is a formalchallenge (after the issue of the Notice to Owner) in accordance with the 1991 Road TrafficAct to the issue of a PCN. Only when a Representation is rejected may a motorist appeal tothe National Parking Adjudication Service (now the Traffic Penalty Tribunal) for anindependent decision. The grounds upon which a Representation may be made are limited

by law but any Representations or Challenges that are received will be considered fully,reasonably and in accordance with the Councils appeal protocols.

Of the 9,051 PCNs issued for parking contraventions in On-street and Off-street locations inGateshead during 02 July 2007 31 March 2008, only 8 had reached the point of an appealbefore NPAS by the 31 March 2008.

4 of the appeals were dismissed by NPAS, with the adjudicator deciding in favour of theCouncil.

The Council chose not to contest 3 of the cases, as further evidence was presented to NPASthat was not available at the time that the appellants Representation was considered by theCouncil. If this information had been submitted with the Representation, it is likely that theC il ld h ll d th PCN t th t t


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6.0 PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (02 July 2007 31 March 2008)

The indicators of success should be based on measurements of the effectiveness ofenforcement as a deterrent and the efficiency and the application of the processes.

Due to the limited time that the service has been operational however and bearing in mindthat both the enforcement and Notice Processing teams were not fully resourced until the endof January 2008, the only measure of performance available is the number of PCNs issued byPA shift. This information is indicated in the table and graph below.

PCNsPA Shifts availablein that week

PCN Issue perPA Shift

Week Commencing Monday 2-Jul-07 8-Jul-07 62 42 1.5




Week Commencing Monday 30-Jul-07 5-Aug-07 66 45 1.5

Week Commencing Monday 6-Aug-07 12-Aug-07 53 36 1.5

Week Commencing Monday 13-Aug-07 19-Aug-07 80 20 4.0

Week Commencing Monday 20-Aug-07 26-Aug-07 114 25 4.6Week Commencing Monday 27-Aug-07 2-Sep-07 127 26 4.9

Week Commencing Monday 3-Sep-07 9-Sep-07 155 36 4.3




Week Commencing Monday 1-Oct-07 7-Oct-07 183 33 5.5



Week Commencing Monday 22-Oct-07 28-Oct-07 269 53 5.1Week Commencing Monday 29-Oct-07 4-Nov-07 344 62 5.5

Week Commencing Monday 5-Nov-07 11-Nov-07 326 61 5.3



Week Commencing Monday 26-Nov-07 2-Dec-07 320 50 6.4

Week Commencing Monday 3-Dec-07 9-Dec-07 333 54 6.2



Week Commencing Monday 24-Dec-07 30-Dec-07 203 34 6.0Week Commencing Monday 31-Dec-07 6-Jan-08 219 37 5.9

Week Commencing Monday 7-Jan-08 13-Jan-08 280 51 5.5



Week Commencing Monday 28-Jan-08 3-Feb-08 308 56 5.5

Week Commencing Monday 4-Feb-08 10-Feb-08 394 53 7.4


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008

25/0

2/2

008

03/0

3/2

008

10/0

3/2

008

17/0

3/2

008

24/0

3/2

008

Average PCN Issue by PA/Shift per Week

Dates below are week commencing dates (initial weeks are warning notices only)

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Appendix A PCNs issued in the Councils car parks

PCNs issued in the Council's car parks

133

33 4

565

49 1

525

49 2

555

587

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

A ugust September Octo ber No vember December January February M arch

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Appendix B PCNs issued by car park

Car Park PCNs issued

Back Walker Terrace 50

Baltic 665

BirtleySwimming Pool 3

Church Street 179Coach Park (The SageGateshead) 19

Computer House 6

Felling Metro 66Fewster Square (Meresyde) 5

Garden Street 20

Gateshead Leisure Centre 140

Heworth Metro North 284

Heworth Metro South 215

Mill Road 639

Multi Storey (West Street) 102

Pipewellgate 21Prince Consort Road 159

Regent Court 265

South Shore Road 131

Swinburne Street 390

The Sage Gateshead 129

Town Hall 319

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Appendix C PCNs issued in the Councils car parks by contravention

Contravention code and description Number of PCNs

70 - Parked in loading area 2

81 - Parked in restricted area 1

82 - Overstay ticket expiry 999

83 - No valid ticket displayed 1698

84 - Making additional payment 185 - In permit section without permit 387

86 - Parked outside marked bay 427

87 - In disabled bay without badge 130

89 - Exceeding height/weight limit 2

91 - Wrong class of vehicle 41

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Appendix D On-street PCNs issued by month

On-street PCNs issued by month

193

463

765

823

924

785

650

861

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

August September October November December January February M arch

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Appendix E PCNs issued on street by contravention

Contravention code and description Number of PCNs

01 - Yellow Lines 2161

02 - Loading/Unloading 14

05 - Expired Pay & Display ticket 150

06 - No valid ticket on display 490

09 - Displaying multiple tickets 1

15 - Residents parking 2816 - Parking in permit space 1208

20 - In loading gap 14

21 - In suspended bay 1

22 - Returning within time 1

23 - Wrong class of vehicle 685

24 - Incorrectly parked 39

25 - Parking in loading bay 72

30 - Parked longer than permitted 6535 - Parked in disc space 14

40 - In disabled bay without badge 453

45 - Parked in taxi rank 57

47 - Parked in bus stop 151

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Appendix F PCNs cancelled by month

Cancellations by month

(This refers to the month the PCN was issued)

19

68

124

97

143

175167

20 4

0

50

100

150

200

250

August Sept ember Oct ober November December January February M arch

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Appendix G PCNs cancelled as a percentage of the number issued

Cancellations as a percentage of those issued

(by month of issue)

5.0

8.7

9.5

7.6

10.5

14.4 14.414.7

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar

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Appendix H PCNs paid by stage

PCNs paid by stage

56%

14%

4%

26%

Paid at discount stage (-50%)

Paid at full charge

Paid after Charge Certificate (+50%)

Not yet paid

39

Gateshead Oct 2008

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