&
Liverpool
City Council
Parking Services
Annual Report
1* April 2008 - 31°* March 2009Contents
Foreword
2. Aims and Objectives
3. Local Context
3.1. Working with the local community
3.2 Devolution Agenda
3.3 Civil Enforcement Officers
3.4 — Residential & Business Parking Schemes
4. Disabled Persons Blue Badge Scheme
4.1 Tackling abuse of the scheme
5. Improving our Service
5.1 New Pay and Display machines
5.2 _ Introduction of Bus Lane Enforcement
5.3 Pay by Phone Parking
6. Customer Service
61 Have Your Say
Table 1 - response times
Comments and Suggestions
Complaints
6.2. Freedom of Information Requests
Table 2:
Penalty Charge Notices
Table 3:
Cancellation of Penalty Charge Notice
Table 4:
Appeals to the Independent Parking Adjudicator
Table 5:
Penalty Charge Notices not challenged
Table 6:
Financial Information
Income and Expenditure
Financial Objectives
Glossary
Page
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141 Executive Member Foreword
Thank you for taking the time to read this, our first annual report on the activities of the City
Council's Parking Service during 2008/09
Itis a fact both nationally and locally that the demand for parking spaces far outstrips the availability
of kerb space. A safe and efficient road network is essential to support the economic growth of our
city. Our Parking Service aims to increase compliance with parking restrictions through the effective
implementation of Civil Parking Enforcement to improve greater accessibility and balance the
competing demands for kerb space of: residents, businesses visitors to the city, pedestrians,
delivery vehicles, public transport, motorists and cyclists.
This competing demand also needs to be balanced with the duty on the City Council to keep traffic
moving, by taking measured enforcement action to address unsafe and inconsiderate parking, to
bring about improved road safety, whilst also improving the local environment, improving the
accessibility and reliability of public transport and meeting the needs of disabled persons, some of
whom will not be able to use public transport systems and will depend entirely on the use of a car.
We are committed to operating our parking enforcement activities in a fair, consistent and
transparent manner. We are happy to provide information in a range of alternative formats or
languages to meet the needs of all of our customers. If you have any questions that are not
answered in this report please contact us at the address below or by contacting 0151 233 3011.
Liverpool City Council
Parking Services
PO Box 981
Liverpool
L69 1B
Pa
services@liverpoo!
Cllr Peter Millea
Executive Member Assets and Development2. Our Aims and Objectives
A safe and efficient road network is essential to support the economic growth of our city. The
council’s Parking Service aims to increase compliance with parking restrictions through the effective
implementation in a fair, transparent, accurate manner of Civil Parking Enforcement to improve
greater accessibility and reconciling the competing demands for kerb space of:
Residents
Shops
Businesses
Visitors, especially near to tourist attractions,
Pedestrians
Delivery Vehicles
Buses, Taxis, Private hire vehicles and coaches
Cars, Motor Bikes, Cyclists
Our objective through effective enforcement is to-:
contribute to the delivery of the Local Transportation Plan;
to assist in reduction of car related crime;
enforcement of school entrances, match day parking, disabled persons parking provision
and yellow line waiting restrictions and paid for parking provision;
to manage resident and business issued parking permits city wide;
to work in partnership with a number of other enforcement agencies and internal service
area's contributing towards the delivery of safer stronger communities and reduction in car
related crime;
To support and advise on a_range of traffic management and crowd control requirements,
during special and community events, for both internal and external event organiser’s city
wide;
Contribute to the improvement in air quality and the reduction of CO2 by improving traffic
flow.
3. Local Context
3.1 Working with the Local Community
Civil Enforcement Officers play an active role in
neighbourhood Respect weeks. The aim of Respect
‘campaigns are to develop and build a stronger and
RESPECT More co-ordinated approach to tackling anti-social
behaviour and associated environmental problems
within communities. The Respect programme brings
together a wide variety of agencies and organisations
who, with the help of local residents, tackle a host of
crime and environmental issues including parking
Give respect Get respect enrorcoment
43.2 Devolution Agenda
Actively engaging local people and communities in the delivery of services is a key part of the City
Council's devolution agenda and central to delivering its corporate aim to ‘develop our
communities’
During 2008, the City Council reviewed and refreshed its neighbourhood governance arrangements
to ensure that they are capable of responding flexibly to community needs and the Government's
wide-ranging community empowerment ambitions.
Parking Services are one of the Business Units chosen to pilot, with pariners, this devolution
process. We will commit dedicated senior officers to act as main points of contact to ensure lines of
communication are continually open and mutually agreed actions are implemented.
3.3 Civil Enforcement Officers (CEO’s)
The main duty of a Civil Enforcement Officer is to ensure parking controls are observed and
enforced in a fair, accurate and consistent approach. Where a CEO establishes a vehicle is parked
in contravention of the regulations a Penalty Chare Notice may be issued. CEO's deliver the City
Councils parking enforcement activities city wide. This typically involves the enforcement of all
waiting restrictions as required, through a range of planned and reactive activities in response to.
requests from our residents, businesses, elected members, community based agencies and
emergency services. Our CEO's also support our partners and other enforcement agencies in the
delivery of safer stronger communities and reduction in car related crime.
In addition to their enforcement duties CEO's are also part of the City Councils eyes and ears on
the ground and will report on a range of other parking controls related matters for example:
checking and reporting defective traffic signs and road markings;
issuing information leaflets or warning notices;
provision of witness statement
informing police of criminal parking activity;
reporting of suspected abandoned vehicles;
reporting untaxed vehicles to DVLA;
assisting with on street parking enforcement surveys
reporting non-mobile objects in parking places (skips advertising trailers) to allow checks on
compliance with the councils licence arrangement;3.4 Resident & Business Parking Schemes
Controlled Parking Zones
We operate a number of Controlled Parking
Zones (CPZ) in the city. A CPZ is an area
where all on-street parking is controlled. When
you enter a zone there's an entry sign to tell you
what restrictions apply within it. When you are in
a zone, parking is only allowed in parking bays
and yellow line restrictions apply. We don't put
signs on each street outlining the yellow line
restrictions as these are stated on the entry
signs that you see when you enter the zone.
There are two types of Residents Parking Zones
which allow greater parking controls for the
benefit of local residents — the Outer Controlled
Parking Zone on the outskirts of the city centre
and the Football Match Parking Zone. The
Business Parking Permit Area (Inner
Controlled Parking Zone) is another Controlled
Parking Zone to allow greater control for the.
benefit of local businesses.
The resident parking schemes around both
Liverpool Football Club and Everton Football
Club stadiums is one of the biggest resident
parking schemes in the country. Because these
stadiums are based in residential areas, football
fans parking their cars indiscriminately on the
roadside, cause significant problems for
residents, road users and pedestrians on match
days. The Football match Parking Zone has
therefore, been set up to help reduce these
problems. The Football Match Parking Zone
is designed to provide parking spaces for
residents living in the area. Residents within the
zone are eligible to apply for a resident parking
permit and a visitor permit.4. Disabled Persons Blue Badge Scheme
Parking Services has the responsibilty to deliver the Blue Badge Scheme.
The Blue Badge scheme, was introduced in 1972 and provides a range of
parking benefits for disabled people with severe walking difficulties who travel
either as drivers or passengers. It also applies to the registered blind and
people with certain upper limb disabilities. The badge is issued for a period of
3 years. If you are issued with a blue badge you will also be issued with a
parking disc (clock) and an explanatory booklet, Blue Badge holders are not
allowed to park in loading bans.
As the value of parking has increased so too has the
value of the parking concessions the blue badge scheme
provides to holders of a badge. Unfortunately there are
‘some people who are selfish enough to misuse the blue
badge of others to gain free or concessionary parking
provision.
Badge holders and motorists are particularly concerned
about abuse of the scheme through theft, forgery, or
borrowing of disabled badges by non-disabled people.
The City Council are committed to preventing this and
take a very active approach to the detection of abuse of
the scheme. Our approach to tackling abuse in
partnership with Merseyside Police and other
enforcement agencies has been recognised nationally as
best practice.
In 2008/09 Parking Services in partnership with Merseyside Police conducted a number of Blue
Badge Misuse operations the outcome of one such operation around the football grounds for
example resulted in the following ~
-23 persons prosecuted for driving whilst using mobile phone;
-22 persons prosecuted for misuse of blue badge;
-12 vehicles seized for no insurance:
~10 persons prosecuted for non wearing of seat belt;
- 4 persons arrested for theft from motor vehicles 2 of these were prolific offenders;
- 1 Taxi seized due to being unroadworthy with a further 6 Taxi drivers being prosecuted for
other offences.5. Improving our Service
5.1 New Pay and Display Machines
7 7 Nm —_In 2008 the City Council replaced the majority of its pay and
display machines both on and off street. Alll of our off street
car parks and some of our on street machines are now able
to take payment by both coin and credit card.
All of our pay and display machines are supported by a web
based back office interface which alerts us to any defects
that the machines have for example coin jams, ticket jams
and machines not in service. This live information has
allowed us to significantly reduce machine down time and
provide a quicker response time to repair machines. The
new machines are extremely reliable resulting in increased
customer satisfaction.
5.2 Introduction of Bus Lane Enforcement
‘The Merseyside Local Transport Plan 2008-2011 sets out
aspirations for encouraging the use of alternative modes of
transport including public transport and one of its commitments is
to make Merseyside a barrier free travel environment for all,
particularly disabled travellers and recognising support that
specific transport measures can bring. As bus travel is one of the
most common forms of public transport the introduction of bus
lane enforcement will make the use of public transport more
efficient, and reduce journey times. This will in turn encourage
motorist to use a more environmentally friendly mode of transport.
Bus Lane Enforcement through the use of CCTV cameras will be
introduced early 2010, initially in the city centre at St John’s Lane,
Old Haymarket, Lime Street and the Strand close to James Street station. These are 24 hour Bus
Lanes with restricted access to Authorised Vehicles, Taxi’s and pushbikes.
5.3 Pay by Phone Parking. Parking Services are currently evaluating
the introduction of ‘pay by phone’ parking. There are currently 204 pay
and display machines within the city centre and a number of these
machines have an additional facility to pay by credit/debit card.
Payment by phone is a service that enables all customers who wish,
when paying for parking, to use a mobile phone to pay via debit and
credit card instead of other current payment methods, This is an
additional option that will run alongside current payment methods.
Extending parking time (subject to max stay limits) can be done by
mobile phone, anywhere, without the need to return to parked vehicles.
The service can be done with a live operator, via text message, online
in advance or by an automated service.6. Customer Contact
As well as being responsible for enforcing parking restrictions, Parking Services are also
responsible for the management of the various Residents Parking Schemes operating in Liverpool
and the Disabled Persons’ Blue Badge Scheme. We can respond to information requests relating
to all parking issues through the Councils One Stop Shops or by contacting Liverpool Direct,
Limited on 0151 233 3011
Useful information in addition to this Annual Report is also available via the Liverpool City Council
website at www.liverpool.gov.uk.
You can also contact us by writing to:
Parking Services
Liverpool City Council
PO Box 981
Liverpool
Leo 18
6.1 Have Your Say
Parking Services welcome all communication from the public.
The City Council's Have Your Say process is the council's scheme for dealing with comments,
compliments and complaints about the services it provides.
Have Your Say forms and information regarding how the scheme works are available from the City
Council's website at www.liverpool.gov.uk , local libraries, sports centres and One Stop Shops or by
writing to Liverpool Direct, FREEPOST, NWW 340A, Liverpool, L1 32Z.
Parking Services received 210 Have Your Say Comments, Complaints or Compliments during
2008/09.
Table 1
Response times for Have Your Says.
Number of days the Have Your Say was responded to:
0-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 30+
* not upheld
The main reason for a delay in responding is to seek further clarification on the issues raised.Have Your Say Comments/suggestions
Implemented “Not Implemented
Following the suggestions raised we have changed the way we either provide information or the
way in which we do things for example we have amended our parking Internet pages to make
navigation around easier, we have supplied maps of parking spaces including Blue Badge spaces
and in one particular case we expanded time limitations for a visitor's pass to assist an additional
carer to support a severely ill, new born baby.
Have Your Say Complaints
Not Upheld lm Partly Upheld =) Upheld
Complaints about the service we provide are also welcome as it gives us the opportunity to
examine and improve our service.
Generally the majority of the complaints we receive relate to the issue of a Penalty Charge Notice,
which are redirected to the statutory parking ticket appeal process. We take all complaints seriously
and try to bring them to a mutually satisfactory conclusion, and were appropriate using the outcome
of complaints to help inform future improvements to our service delivery.
6.2 Freedom of Information Requests
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 was created to provide a more open and transparent
accessibility to information held by public bodies. Requests must be in writing and the council have
20 working days to comply with the request. There are twenty three exemptions. These exemptions
are either absolute or conditional — the latter requiring the consideration of a Public Interest Test.
Requests are generally financial or the number of Penalty Charge Notice’s issued or requests for
information relating to appealing a Penalty Charge Notice.
10Table 2
Penalty Charge Notice statistics
Total Penally Charge Nolices issued, eae ae
‘Number of Penalty Charges Notices Paid
‘Number of Penalty Charge Notices paid at discount rate,
‘Number of Penalty Charge Notices against which an Informal/Formal Representation made.
Number of Penalty Charge Notices cancelled as a result of an informaliformal Representation
Numer of Higher Level Penalty Charge Notices Issued
Number of Lower Level Penally Charge Notices Issued
‘Number of Higher Level |
| Penalty Charge Notices
Issued
lumber of Low er Level
Penalty Charge Notices
Issued
itTable 3
Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) cancellations
Following the issue of a PCN the recipient has the opportunity to appeal its issue. There are nine
statutory grounds for cancellation of a PCN; in addition to the statutory grounds for appeal the City
Council will also consider compelling reasons why in the particular circumstances of the case it
should cancel the PCN. The City Council may exercise its discretion and cancel a PCN, at any
stage of the appeal process.
This table shows the reasons and the number of cases in 2008/09 that Penalty Charge Notices
were cancelled at both these stages.
Statutory Grounds established
Exercise of Councils discretion
[1 Statutory Grounds.
established
Exercise of Councis
dscraton
Appeals to independent Parking Adjudicator
Table 4
At this stage of the appeal process the independent Adjudicator will consider the evidence
submitted by the appellant and the City Council. The chart below highlights the numbers of Penalty
Charge Notice's that were allowed, dismissed or not challenged by the City Council.
ee
124 | Alow ed by Aqjucator
174
|mpsmsses
1D Not Challenged by City
eal Council
The total number of Appeals to the independent adjudicator for 2008/09 was 560. The discrepancy
in the total figure is a result of not all appeal cases that were submitted, being dealt with through the
adjudicating system within that period of time.
12Table 5
Penalty Notices Not Challenged at Adjudication
Once appellants lodge an appeal at the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT) the City Council often
receives additional information. When reviewing this additional information the council may decide
to cancel the PCN; either because the statutory grounds for cancelling a PCN have been
established; or further compelling information has been provided that had the council had this,
information earlier it would have exercised its discretion. These decisions are reported to the
adjudicator and show as the council not challenging (no contest) the PCN at appeal stage. The
following table indicates the reason and the number of cases involved for 2008/09.
Reason
Siatutory Grounds established
Exercise of Councils discretion
Total
1B Statutory Grounds
established
19 Bxercise of Councils
discretion
13Table 6
Income for 2008 / 2009
‘On Street Income
‘Management Recharge
Total Income:
BOF Sreatineone|
|m On Steet ncome|
|GPCN Income
[EWanagerent
Recharge
Rens
Expenditure for 2008 / 2009
Services Total
Capital Charges
Total
Central Total
pe | | oTeansport Total
| asupples Total
a LA mSerices Teal
‘Capital Charges Total
‘Cental Tota
LoL craves |
Givil Parking Enforcement Financial Objectives
Surplus revenue from our enforcement activities, £2,670,934.72 are directed towards improving the
traffic network infrastructure, provision of traffic calming measures, improving pedestrian access
and improving the councils parking provision.
14GLOSSARY
BB Blue Badge
‘The Blue Badge Scheme provides a range of parking concessions for people with severe mobility problems who have
difficulty using public transport. The badge enables holders to park close to where they need to go.
CEO Civil Enforcement Officer
This is the designated name given by the Traffic Management Act 2004 to hose officers engaged by councils to issue
Penalty Charge Notices,
Contravention
This refers to a breach of parking and an accompanying code will qualify the contravention,
CPZ Controlled Parking Zone
This is an area were parking is restricted between 8am and 6pm to manage the needs ofthe residents and other
motorists.
DPE Decriminalised Parking Enforcement
This isthe process whereby local authorities take up enforcement powers from the police.
Enforcement
‘Within the realms of Parking ‘enforcement’ activity by the council covers that of parking controls and decriminalised
traffic contraventions
FMPZ Football Match Parking Zone
This is an area surrounding both Everton and Liverpoo''s football grounds were parking permits are available to
residents to help protect residents on metch days.
ICPZ Inner Controlled Parking Zone
This is a designated area were parking permits are available to protect residents in heavily congested areas.
LDL Liverpool Direct Limited
Loading Ban
Area marked with either single or double yellow lines from the pavement to the road to restrict parking in peak times to
‘engure traffic congestion is kept to a minimum. A single line restrictions will be indicated on a time plate but a double
yellow line will indicate no parking at all
NTO Notice to Owner
This is a statutory notice served by the authority to the person they believe is the owner of a vehicle that has been
issued with a Penalty Charge Notice that has remained unpaid after 28 days.
Off Street Parking
Off street parking facilities are those within car parks.
On Street Parking
On Street parking facilities are those by the kerbside.
OCPZ Outer Controlled Parking Zone
This is a statutory notice served by the authority to the person they believe is the owner of a vehicle that has been
issued with @ Penalty Charge Notice that has remained unpaid after 28 days.
15OSS One Stop Shop
Aone stop shop is a council building, situated within @ community where Liverpool citizens can speak to a customer
services adviser in person,
P&D Pay and Display
This is a means of paying for a parking space either on-street or off-street via inserting a method of payment and
receiving 2 ticket to clearly display in the motor vehicle.
PCN Penalty Charge Notice
This is a notice issued because a vehicle has allegedly contravened a parking regulation.
Representation
A representation is a challenge against a Penalty Charge Notice after a Notice to Owner has been issued.
‘TPT Traffic Penalty Tribunal
TRO Traffic Regulation Order
16