Report attached.

The parking manager explained that there were three types of parking penalties issued – those fixed to windscreens, issued by post and bus lane or moving traffic violations which were also issued by post.

The recovery process allowed for a discount if were paid within 14 days or full payment was required if paid within 28 days. Challenges to Penalty Charge Notices could be informal, formal or by representation. Informal challenges could be by post or on-line with the appeal decision binding on both sides. The statutory timeframe for responding to formal representations was 56 days. In total in 2021/22, of around 120k penalties issued, approximately 7,900 were cancelled.

Future developments could include moving Havering into a higher Band A level for parking charges. Members raised that many pay and display machines were not working and that many older people may not be able to use a mobile phone or the parking app. It was also pointed out that the parking policy on the Council’s website did not mention the RingGo app. In response, officers confirmed that, if no parking machines were working, free parking would be allowed although a maximum stay period would still apply.

Whilst some old parking machines would be replaced, any App-only parking spaces would also have Paypoint facilities nearby. It was not currently the policy in Havering that people had to use the app and penalties would be cancelled if there were no working machines available in area. The use of the app would be addressed during training for parking officers. Havering was within the London average for parking tickets issued and officers could supply further details of this.

A rationalisation of pay and display machines was being carried out but only underused machines would be removed and local Paypoint facilities would be available as an alternative to the app. Members had received many reports of parking machines not working but it was clarified that it was not planned to reduce the number of parking machines in the Hilldene area.

Staff were trained on how to check for Member permits. The need to update their location if for example officers moved into a car park area would be addressed through training. It was clarified that an extra seven days would be allowed for the receipt of penalty payments made by post. 

Complaints re the parking service were dealt with by the Neighbourhoods Business Support Team and officers could supply information on the reasons for complaints. All complaint responses were reviewed by team leaders although relatively few complaints were received about parking officers. The St Edwards ward not being on the parking system would be addressed by officers.

Any cancellations of charges at the informal stage could be dealt with more quickly but responses were often only received at the formal stage. Every case lost was reviewed and training on the issues raised would take place if necessary. Information on targets for levels of cancellations could be brought to a future meeting.

The increase in income from the whole of the borough moving into band A was not known at this stage. Data on the introduction of this in other boroughs could be provided. Disabled residents receiving tickets could seek advice using the automated phone line service although appeals had to be on-line and could not be taken over the phone. Specific details of issues encountered by disabled residents could be forward by Members to officers who would investigate.

Enforcement of parking around residential dropped kerbs would only take place if the resident requested this. It was accepted that parental parking around schools was often problematic. Instances of trees obscuring parking signs were reported to Highways for adding to their programme of works.

There had been a slight increase in moving traffic penalties in School Streets areas but compliance was now improving. Officers could supply figures on this.

It was agreed that a task and finish group on the appeals process be established although officers advised that it was important to consider what outcomes were desired from the review and to ask Members to give feedback and volunteer to be on the task and finish group.