Sheffield CPE Annual Report 2009-10 - Final
Sheffield CPE Annual Report 2009-10 - Final
Sheffield CPE Annual Report 2009-10 - Final
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Contents
Item Page
Our Services 8
Statistics 22
Financial Information 30
Glossary of Terms 32
2
Introduction
by COUNCILLOR IAN AUCKLAND,
Cabinet Member, Sustainable Transport and Streetscene
Thank you for taking the time to read this The implementation of the Traffic
Annual Report. This is the second annual Management Act 2004 (Part 6) on 31 March
report which we have published, in 2008, gave local authorities an opportunity
accordance with the requirements of the to review their parking enforcement
Traffic Management Act 2004. We welcome operations. Sheffield City Council welcomed
the opportunity to inform you how Sheffield this opportunity.
City Council delivers its parking and bus The main priority of the DfT guidance was to
lane enforcement and associated services ensure that the enforcement of parking
and to place the service in context with our restrictions is transparent, consistent and
other road network management duties and fair. Sheffield City Council has worked hard
policies. to make sure that its enforcement meets
My key concern is to ensure that the road these three criteria and that it is
network operates at maximum effectiveness, proportionate to the circumstances.
balances conflicting demands, is fair to law The Council tries to be aware that
abiding and observant road users, and is sometimes there are genuine extenuating
considerate of any individual circumstances circumstances which result in the issue of a
put forward in mitigation of offences. Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), and the driver
We understand that different groups across may have done their best to comply with the
the city will have different parking needs. restrictions, or have another good cause to
Our aim is to balance these needs, to make put forward.
sure that the system is fair for all. Whilst We recognise that we have an express duty
parking restrictions are rarely popular with to consider “compelling circumstances” and
motorists, without them there would be to exercise discretion in an appropriate way.
significantly higher levels of congestion and In January 2010, the Council’s Cabinet
even gridlock. In Sheffield, many of our approved a revised Parking and Bus Lane
streets and properties were built well before Enforcement Policy which recognises our
the level of vehicle ownership reached obIigation to take into account “compelling
today’s levels. circumstances” when dealing with
Residents, businesses, commuters, people representations from motorists. In my
with disabilities, shoppers, students and dealings with Parking Services, over the
visitors are just some of the groups who past two years, I have seen clear evidence
have differing needs for parking and travel. that when considering challenges and
Traffic and parking management are the representations from the motoring public,
ways that the council makes sure that they do allow for circumstances where
available parking areas can be shared in a drivers have not complied with regulations,
fair and transparent way. They are not due to events outside their control. Our Civil
revenue raising tools, no “targets” are set, Enforcement Officers are also briefed to
and any surplus income is invested in traffic take account of “guidance” which may be
management improvements. found in adjudicator rulings.
3
The vast majority of motorists park legally • The British Parking Association in
and sensibly. Some drivers who receive partnership with the Consumers
PCNs may not have intended to park Association magazine “Which?” has
illegally and on occasions they may have published a Guide To Parking.
misunderstood the nature of the restrictions. • P.A.T.R.O.L. (Parking And
However, motorists do have a responsibility Traffic Regulations Outside
to take note of restriction signs and to London) has published a
comply with them. A few seconds taken to guide to the enforcement of
check the signs and lines before leaving the Penalty Charge Notices and
vehicle will, in most cases, avoid the issue of the associated appeals
a PCN. procedures.
Equally we have a responsibility to make • The Council has a prepared
sure that any restrictions are clearly a Parking Enforcement
signposted, and to consider where lessons Policy document which
could be drawn from the number of gives guidance on how
offences committed. challenges and
May I add a plea to all road users to be representations will be
aware of the meaning of the various signs, dealt with.
lines and road markings by checking with All the above publications are
the latest version of the Highway Code. available from the Council’s
This is available from bookshops but it is Parking Services office, or via
also possible to download details of “Signs the respective organisation’s
Giving Orders” and “Information Signs & website. Contact details and website
Road Markings” from the Direct Gov website addresses are shown below. These
using the link below. publications and the appeal process have
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTrans been made available specifically to make
port/Highwaycode/Signsandmarkings/index the procedures relating to parking
.htm enforcement clear to the motorist.
Unfortunately, in every town and city, there is I hope that you will find this information
often a small hardcore of motorists who pay helpful and that it demonstrates the
no attention to restrictions and who park determination of Sheffield City Council to
illegally because it is convenient for them, enforce parking restrictions in a fair,
and they do not consider the inconvenience transparent and consistent manner which is
to others. This is unacceptable because also “proportionate”, whilst using discretion
irresponsible parking can quickly cause where it is appropriate.
traffic congestion and pollution. It
significantly increases the number of Website details
accidents and it is unfair on the majority of www.sheffield.gov.uk/parking
motorists who take care to park correctly
and legally. Motorists who act in this way www.britishparking.co.uk
can expect any PCNs http://www.patrol-uk.info/downloads/
issued to their vehicles Process_Map.pdf
to be fully enforced.
The following documents Sheffield City Council, Parking
provide helpful Services, postal address:
information relating to
parking and how the P.O. Box 3830,
enforcement and Sheffield
appeals processes work. S1 9AQ
4
Overview and
Policy Objectives
A limited number of hard copies of this The Council follows strict guidelines and
document will be available in the First Point procedures laid down by the Government
offices across the city, as well as being sent when removing abandoned vehicles. All
to our stakeholders. However, the Parking vehicles that the Council considers to be
Annual Report has principally been abandoned are removed to a compound. If
designed as an online document, in the the vehicle carries a GB number plate the
interests of the environment and to provide Council sends a written Notice to the owner
convenient links to other resources and (using details obtained from the Driver and
information. Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) database)
Our parking facilities are used every day by informing them that their vehicle has been
thousands of people coming to Sheffield to removed and is being held in our custody. If
shop, study, work, or visit the city. Parking the owner wishes to reclaim the vehicle they
controls in Sheffield are essential to keep need to do so within 7 days of the date on
traffic moving safely and to provide access the Notice or the vehicle is disposed of. To
for residents and visitors. Balancing the reclaim their vehicle, owners must satisfy the
needs of residents, visitors, disabled people Council of ownership and pay costs for its
and business is key to the continued removal and storage.
economic growth and success of the city. The Council cannot consider vehicles to be
The availability of car parking is one of the abandoned solely on the grounds of them
main factors in determining whether people not displaying a valid tax disc. Issues
choose to travel by car. To reduce peak hour relating to untaxed vehicles are dealt with
congestion, the amount of long-stay car by DVLA.
parking needs to be controlled.
Our current parking policies (delivered as a
highway and planning authority) are aimed
at reducing the amount of longer stay
parking both within and around the city
centre, with complementary park and ride
sites linking into the city centre along key
Quality Bus Corridors being proposed
wherever possible.
Pricing policy is also specifically geared to
short-stay parking, meeting the needs of
visitors rather than commuters. Maximum
length of stay restrictions are generally
structured to promote short-term parking
and high turnover of spaces in the city
centre, but a degree of long-term parking is
permitted in the outer areas and in some
car parks to meet the needs of different
motorists, such as commuters.
5
Parking Provision in Sheffield
6
City Centre Outside the City Centre
The Council operates only a minority of the Outside the city centre, there are a number
Off-Street car parks within the city centre, of small car parks which are classed as
with most of the car parks operated by “amenity car parks”. In general, charges are
private sector companies such as NCP, Q- not made for parking in these car parks
Park, Euro and Britannia. There are a total of unless they fall within one of the permit
over 7,500 off-street parking spaces in the parking zones in the peripheral areas
city centre, and approximately 1400 on- surrounding the city centre (see below).
street parking spaces. Permit Parking Zones (PPZs) have been
Details of all the car parks in the city centre implemented in some areas which are just
are shown on the Council’s website outside the city centre in order to manage
www.sheffield.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/ the various demands from residents,
parking shoppers, businesses and commuters. A
The table on page 8 shows a list of car range of different parking spaces are
parks in the city centre, together with the provided in these areas in order to manage
number of spaces and the operator details, demand. (Permit Holders, Pay & Display,
where this information is known. Loading Bays, Disabled Badge Bays).
The Council car parks are all “Pay & PPZs are now in place in the following
Display” and are patrolled by Council Civil areas: Broomhill, Sharrow Vale,
Enforcement Officers. There are other car Crookesmoor, Broomhall and The Groves,
parks in the city which are operated by Meadow Street Area, Highfield and
private sector companies. Some of these Hillsborough. Reviews of the Broomhill,
are pay & display whilst others operate on Broomhall and The Groves, Crookesmoor
pay on foot systems where payment is and Sharrow Vale PPZs have recently been
made upon return to the car park. undertaken. Minor changes have been
implemented in Broomhill and Crookesmoor
and changes to the Sharrow Vale Area are
due to be implemented in the coming year,
with the aim of providing different
restrictions to match the requirements of the
residents and businesses, in the various
areas within this existing zone.
7
Our Services
8
Parking Permits Blue Badge Scheme
• Residents Permits are available for those The Council receives around 10,000 blue
people who live within the boundaries of badge applications per year and there are
any of the Permit Parking Zones which currently 24,000 badges in circulation. The
have been established around the city. scheme enables people with mobility
There are however some recent difficulties to park in locations where other
developments which have section 106 drivers cannot, in order that they can get
(Town and Country Planning Act) closer to their ultimate destination. However,
agreements as part of their planning badge holders need to study the
permission, which do not allow residents accompanying leaflet as there are certain
of these developments locations where the badge does not allow
to qualify for them to park.
parking permits.
In general, up Parking Enforcement
to two permits
per household Sheffield City Council took over
are available, responsibility for parking enforcement
subject to under the provisions of the Road Traffic
proof of Act 1991 (as amended) in April 2005.
residence and The Council directly employs the Civil
ownership of a Enforcement Officers who carry out the
vehicle. operational enforcement, as well as the staff
who deal with the appeals procedure.
• Business Permits are
available where a business At the time of preparing this report there are
can demonstrate that a vehicle is 58 Civil Enforcement Officers, 7 Senior Civil
required for the operation of the Enforcement Officers and an Operations
business. Business permits are not Manager.
intended to be used for commuting There are 16 Administration and Processing
purposes only. Assistants who deal with the permit
• Trade Permits in the form of single use applications and all aspects of the
scratch cards are available in books of representations and appeals process.
25. Traders such as electricians, Payment of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs)
plumbers etc may obtain these permits to can be made by post, by 24 hour
enable them to carry on their business automated telephone system, via the
when working in properties situated Council’s website or in person at Howden
within the PPZs. House on Union Street in the city centre.
• Carer permits are available for Informal challenges or representations
professional carers or for relatives or against PCNs can be made in writing or by
friends of people living in the area for e-mail or by completing an electronic form
whom they are acting as a carer. on the Council’s website.
• A Green Parking Permit Scheme has
The priorities for parking enforcement are
been introduced for the owners of dual
as follows:-
fuelled vehicles or those powered solely
by electricity or gas. For an initial joining • Bus Lanes and bus stops
fee of £10 and annual fee of £10, Green • Peak period waiting and loading (main
Permit holders may park in the city centre roads in and out of the city centre, main
car parks and on-street parking spaces bus routes)
without charge. However, maximum-stay • Single / double yellow lines on strategic
times do remain applicable. routes
9
Challenges,
• School zig-zags (those with Traffic
Regulation Orders)
• Pedestrianised areas – waiting / loading
restrictions
• Pedestrianised areas, taxi ranks / blue
badge bays
Representations
• Pay & Display
• Permits spaces
• Road junctions, where restrictions are in All Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) contain
place details of how to pay and how to make an
• District shopping areas, where appeal. City Council staff deal with
restrictions are in place. responding to correspondence at all stages
of the appeals process.
In addition there is information on our
website about the appeals process and also
information regarding the meaning of the
common signs and road markings used to
denote parking restrictions.
We want our letters to give clear information
about the processes and our staff are
committed to adopting a fair, transparent
and consistent approach to challenges,
representations and appeals against PCNs.
It is clear that the Parking Services staff are
using appropriate discretion in relation to
Bus Lane Enforcement compelling circumstances, in accordance
The Council took over responsibility for the with the adopted Parking Enforcement
enforcement of Bus Lanes in the summer of Policy, as the rate of cancellation is higher
2007. This began with the enforcement of than last year (see pages 22 to 24).
the Middlewood Road and Langsett Road At times, we have suffered from
Bus Gates at Hillsborough. This was then correspondence backlogs due to the
followed by the introduction of enforcement fluctuation in levels of correspondence
of the Bus Gate at The Wicker. In June 2010, received. We are committed to resolving this
enforcement of Glossop Road Bus Gate issue and we are currently in the process of
commenced with warning notices for 2 purchasing a new software system which
months. Full enforcement, issuing PCNs will improve our response times
commenced in late August. Enforcement of considerably.
additional Bus Lane / Bus Gate restrictions
is planned to be implemented in the future.
Enforcement is carried out by CCTV
cameras and Penalty Charge Notices
(PCNs) are issued by post.
Staffing Structure
The Parking Services staffing structure is
shown on page 37.
10
and Appeals
In brief, the stages in the appeals process 3. Appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal
are as follows:- In the event that formal representations at
1. Informal Challenge stage 2, above are rejected by the
The driver of the vehicle which has been Council, the owner of the vehicle (or hirer
issued with a PCN may write to the if the vehicle was on hire when the PCN
Council’s Parking Services if he / she was issued), may appeal to the Traffic
considers that a PCN has been issued Penalty Tribunal. The form to make the
incorrectly or there are compelling appeal is included with the Council’s
circumstances why it should be rejection letter.
cancelled. The postal address and e-mail The decision by the Adjudicator at the
address are both shown on the reverse of Traffic Penalty Tribunal is normally final
the PCN. Shortly, the e-mail address will and unless there has been an error in the
be replaced by the website address as interpretation of the law, there is no
we will be introducing a web form which further avenue for appeal. If an appeal is
motorists will be able to complete. This allowed, the Adjudicator will inform the
will be sent directly into our new software owner and the Council in writing and the
system, which will enable us to respond PCN will be cancelled.
more quickly to challenges sent from the If the appeal is dismissed, the vehicle
website. owner will be informed that the full
Please note that our policy is to respond Penalty Charge is payable.
to only one informal challenge per PCN, The appellant can choose to have a
due to the availability of further stages in postal decision, a personal hearing at the
the appeals process. town or city of his / her choice, from the
2. Formal Representation locations listed on the appeal form, or a
If payment is not received within 28 days telephone hearing.
of the date that a PCN is issued, the
Council will make an enquiry of DVLA to
find out the details of the owner of the
vehicle. A Notice To Owner will then be
issued requesting payment of the full
amount of the Penalty Charge Notice.
At this stage the vehicle owner has the
opportunity to make formal
representations to the Council giving
reasons why the PCN has been
incorrectly issued, reasons why the
owner is not liable or compelling reasons
why the PCN should be cancelled.
11
Changes During 2009-10
12
Future Development /
Initiatives
We are currently in the process of ordering Improved Response Times
a new software system which will improve
our ability to deal with applications for The system will also include a
parking permits and process challenges, correspondence module which will improve
formal representations and appeals to the the consistency and customer friendly
Traffic Penalty Tribunal in respect of Penalty nature of our responses and reduce the
Charge Notices. time taken to process them. We expect that
once the new system is implemented, the
quality and speed of our service response
Online Services will show significant improvement.
The new system will enable us to provide an Implementation should be completed before
on-line service for permit applications and the end of the current calendar year (2010).
also motorists who have received a Penalty
Charge Notices for parking or bus lane
contraventions will be able to submit
informal challenges or formal
representations by completing an on-line
form. The details from the on-line form will
be sent directly into the new system,
removing the necessity to manually scan
documents.
13
Policy and
Performance Appraisals
Road Safety Traffic Control Centre and ‘Intelligent
Transport’ information system managed by
Much activity centres on improved our Urban Traffic Control team.
information and discussions with drivers
about driving safely, focusing on improved
education, training and publicity to highlight
Changing Travel Behaviour
what parts of our highway network are more Smarter Travel Choices are now an
likely to suffer from accidents and why – in established part of our Traffic Management
an attempt to better inform drivers how and strategy (e.g. the Intelligent Transport
why accidents happen. The current Systems described above), acknowledging
outcome is that Sheffield has had one of its the need to provide high quality information
lowest ever totals of “killed and seriously to drivers about how routes are working,
injured” over the last year. and what alternative choices of travel are
available to people. Workplace Travel Plans
Traffic Flow are now proving to be an effective way of
raising awareness about travel choices
Sheffield leads on behalf of the South specific to individual organisations, and the
Yorkshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) Council, Universities, Hospitals and several
Partnership in contributing towards the other large employers in Sheffield now all
government’s national target for tackling have their own Travel Plans.
congestion, and also leads on many
Network Management Plan aspects of the Meeting our (mandatory) LTP targets, and
Traffic Management Act. our agreed LAA targets for managing
congestion, for reducing public transport
The national congestion target is composed journey times and hence increasing public
of the ten largest urban areas in England. transport patronage are all reliant on a
To date, South Yorkshire is one of the change in overall travel behaviour, given
strongest performing LTP areas in delivering likely future levels of funding
improved person journey times across a
range of Key Routes (those main roads
which provide the main arteries to and
Air Quality issues
between our four main urban centres), Emissions from traffic form one of the major
despite a continued increase in background components of air pollution and as one of
traffic flows – one of only a few areas where the impacts of congestion, need to be
flows were still increasing in 2008/09. seriously considered as part of any
One further example of this is that “tackling sustainable access strategies – particularly
congestion” is one of the Council’s Core when considering the impact of new
Priorities and has been adopted as a ‘Local development. Air Quality has slightly
Area Agreement’ target. A significantly improved in Sheffield over the last year, but
increased share of the Council’s LTP funds much of the built-up urban area of Sheffield
has been allocated towards congestion and Rotherham is still on the threshold of
management schemes over the last year, requiring an Air Quality Management Area
together with delivery of a new central as defined by government standards. The
14
M1 motorway passing between the two
centres further adds to this.
Because of this and new government
guidance for LTP3 regarding Climate
Change, the Council has recently launched
its Carbon Reduction strategy, within which
a significant reduction in the tonnage of
carbon produced by traffic is targetted.
This will require a radical change in our
collective travel behaviour if our local and
national Air Quality targets and standards
are to be met.
Consultations – permit
applications service
Parking Services consulted applicants for
residents’ parking permits in order to assess
the level of customer satisfaction with the
application process. The results of the
consultation are shown below.
15
Question Responses
1. Did you apply for a new New Permit Renewal Amendment
permit, make a renewal or make an
amendment to an existing permit? 35.3% 60.0% 4.7%
2. What type of permit did you Resident Visitor Business Carer Green
apply for? Parking
Scheme
64.5% 21.2% 10.4% 2.0% 2.0%
Very Satisfied Neither Dissatisfied Very
Satisfied Satisfied nor Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
3. How satisfied were you with the 36.9% 43.1% 7.5% 8.9% 3.6%
information advising how to apply?
4. How satisfied were you that the 42.8% 41.3% 8.5% 3.2% 4.1%
application form was clear and
easy to fill in?
5. How satisfied were you with 41.3% 34.2% 7.2% 11.3% 6.1%
the time it took to receive a permit?
6. How satisfied were you with
the professionalism and knowledge 37.2% 34.9% 18.2% 7.0% 2.6%
of staff to deal with your queries /
application?
7. Overall, how satisfied were you 37.0% 40.7% 8.5% 9.7% 4.0%
with the service you have received?
8. How would you prefer to apply Telephone Face To Face Website Post
for a permit?
17.7% 6.1% 49.7% 26.6%
Providing copies of documents each time unnecessary / could have “no change from previous” 4.8%
16
Response To The Above believe that the level of enforcement is
about right. The table below shows the
Suggestions For Improvement results:
We are currently in the process of
implementing a new parking enforcement Permit Zone % of respondents who
and permit processing system. The new believe that the level
system will enable us to offer an improved of enforcement is
service which will include a facility to apply about right
and make payment for permits on-line. This Broomhill 44%
will significantly improve convenience for our
customers and the time taken for permits to Broomhall and the Groves 46%
be issued. We are also considering whether Sharrow Vale 52%
up to 3 annual renewals could be
processed without the need to provide Crookesmoor 57%
documentation every time, when the details
have not changed from the previous We are aware of specific issues associated
application. with overstaying in bays within local
shopping areas and appropriate
Other Consultation enforcement action is being taken.
The enforcement of restrictions within the In addition, our scheme reviews ask local
PPZs is crucial to the successful operation residents and businesses whether parking
of permit parking schemes. in their area has improved. Again, on
The enforcement of each of the zones is average around half the respondents
self-financing from parking permits, pay & believe the parking situation has improved
display ticket revenues and PCN income. since the introduction of a Permit Parking
Penalty charge income within the zones is Scheme. The results by scheme are shown
continuing at a steady level at present, but below.
this may decrease over time as the permit In Crookesmoor, 50% of respondents said
schemes become more established and the parking situation has improved in the
better known to the public. Permit Parking Scheme area overall, 29%
A series of Permit Parking Scheme Reviews disagreed, 21% were not sure.
have revealed that on average, around half
the respondents (residents and businesses)
17
In-House Parking Enforcement the city centre areas. A systematic review of
the signs and lines has been ongoing
When the Council took over responsibility for throughout the last two years. Successive
Decriminalised Parking Enforcement in small areas have been reviewed and
2005, it was decided that the existing in- schedules of work have then been passed
house Operational Enforcement Team to the in-house team responsible for line
should be expanded. The existing team had marking and signs manufacture. Any issues
previously been responsible for the where the Traffic Regulation Order has
enforcement of On-Street and Off-Street pay differed from the signs and lines on-street
& display parking under the Road Traffic have been referred to Traffic Regulations
Regulation Act 1984. There was therefore staff to be resolved. Appropriate action has
existing experience in-house, although then been taken to either mark and sign in
training was required in respect of the accordance with the TRO, or to amend the
additional contraventions and legal TRO as appropriate. This work is ongoing
procedures in respect of the Road Traffic and will continue until all areas are up to the
Act 1991. required standard.
Experience since 2005, compared with In 2008-9 a review of the various different
other authorities which have decided to pay & display zones in the city centre, was
contract out their operational enforcement, undertaken. This was due to the fact that
has been favourable. The Council’s Parking new developments in the city centre have
Services Manager has previous experience changed the areas of demand for parking.
of working with a contracted out The strategy is to have a maximum-stay of
enforcement operation and in his opinion, one hour for on-street spaces in the busiest
the quality of in-house Civil Enforcement areas of retail activity, in order to encourage
Officers (CEOs) is better and turnover of turnover. Slightly further out from the busiest
staff is significantly lower. In fact since areas, there are two-hour maximum-stay
2005, the only turnover of operational parking bays. Finally on the outer areas of
enforcement staff has been due to health the city centre there are a small number of
issues or retirement. The experience 10 hour maximum-stay parking bays.
reported in respect of a contracted out
operation is that staff turnover has been in In addition to the above work, CEOs report
the region of 50% per annum. There are missing or defective signs and lines as part
obvious cost implications for this level of of their routine duties. This information is
turnover and the quality of PCNs issued passed on to our in-house Maintenance &
also tends to suffer in these circumstances. Development Officer who then arranges the
replacement signs or lines in conjunction
Quality of PCNs is an important factor, since with the Traffic Regulations team and the in-
errors by CEOs such as incorrect location, house signs and lines service.
registration number, or contravention code
will inevitably result in cancellations.
Cancellations due to CEO errors represent
Training and quality of service
only 0.66% of all PCNs issued (i.e. less than delivery
1 in 150 PCNs issued) and this indicates All Civil Enforcement Officers have
that CEOs are performing extremely well in completed NVQs in parking enforcement (or
terms of quality. are in the latter stages of doing so). There
have been changes to the method of NVQ
Reviews of Existing restrictions, assessment in recent years and this has
TROs, signs and road markings meant that the CEOs are observed whilst
out on enforcement patrols. This method is
The quality and accuracy of the signs and much more practical and CEOs are better
lines which denote parking restrictions is able to demonstrate their competence and
crucial to quality enforcement, particularly in
18
understanding of the role than when regard to Bus Lane / Gate restrictions, it is
assessment was done by providing a becoming clear that many motorists use the
portfolio of paper based evidence. The convenience of Satellite Navigation
CEOs are much more enthusiastic about equipment and this frequently results in a
being able to demonstrate their skills, lack of attention to local signs. In addition it
knowledge and understanding “out on the is becoming evident that the satellite
street”, rather than having to spend a great navigation equipment companies do not
deal of time collecting documentary always update their software promptly with
evidence and writing statements to prove changes to routes and restrictions.
their competence. The level of bus lane contraventions at
Quality of service in respect of the appeals Hillsborough and The Wicker has reduced
process is also a very important aspect and significantly since revised signs and road
it is recognised that over the past two years, markings were introduced in the summer of
the administration team have worked under 2009.
extreme pressure – mainly due to the It is noticeable that public opinion
volume of representations received in (expressed on discussion websites such as
respect of Bus Lane PCNs. Sheffield Forum) is divided with as many
The administration and processing team are people stating that in their opinion the signs
a highly committed group of people, who are absolutely clear, as those who state that
cope admirably with the pressures of they are not clear.
dealing with informal challenges, The root of the problem with regard to the
representations and appeals. They received Wicker Bus Gate seems to be that some
additional training in preparation for the motorists have not recognised the signs
implementation of the Traffic Management which direct them to use the new Inner
Act 2004 (Part 6) in March 2008 and the Relief Road (Cutlers Gate / Derek Dooley
revised procedures are now well Way), rather than the old routes through the
established. The staff have shown a Wicker if travelling towards Burngreave or
willingness to learn all aspects of the Attercliffe and via Bridge Street and West
procedure and this means that there is Bar if travelling towards the Hillsborough,
expertise across the entire team in relation Broomhill, Walkley areas. Also, some
to all of the stages of the enforcement / motorists seem to miss the signs towards
appeals process. the new Inner Relief Road from the inbound
Initial training for administration and lanes of the Sheffield Parkway.
processing staff was by attending a formal The Council has addressed these problems
training course which covered both the by further improving the Bus Gate signs and
operational enforcement procedures and road markings at The Wicker and also by
knowledge as well as the aspects of altering junctions and improving signs at the
dealing with challenges, representations large Park Square traffic island close to the
and appeals. Following this, “on the job” city centre.
training has supplemented the initial
learning.
19
Service Delivery Targets
20
Collection Rates
11.91%
% Paid
% Cancelled
% Written off
77.5%
% Still Pursuing
1.86% 3.70%
12.01%
Bus Lane PCNs - Recovery Rate
The collection rate for Bus Lane PCNs is 82.43%
% Paid
% Cancelled
% Written off
82.43%
% Still Pursuing
9.85%
All PCNs - Overall Recovery Rate
1.33% We are achieving an overall collection rate for all
PCNs of 78.77%.
10.05%
Bearing in mind that 10.05% of PCNs were
cancelled, the realistic maximum which could be
achieved would be 89.95%. It is accepted that a
percentage of DVLA records are out of date (i.e.
the vehicle owner details have not been updated)
and therefore this would reduce the possible
collection rate still further, to around 80%. The
achievement of a collection rate of 77.55% must
therefore be seen as an excellent result.
78.77%
% Paid We anticipate that with reduced response times
% Cancelled with the implementation of our new system, there
is scope for further improvement in the future.
% Written off
% Still Pursuing
21
Statistics
Parking PCNs
Description Total PCNs On-Street Off-Street 2008-9
2009-10
Number of Higher Level PCNs issued 39,626 38,799 827
Number of Lower Level PCNs issued 16,692 13,274 3,418
Total Number of PCNs issued 56,318 60,667
Number of PCNs paid 43,672 44,633
Number of PCNs paid at discounted rate 39,628 38,800
Number of PCNs against which formal or informal 15,811 20,855
representations were mad
Number of PCNs cancelled as a result of formal or 4810 Unable To Separate Data 3,312
informal representation
Number of PCNs cancelled for other reasons 478 389
(e.g. CEO error)
Number of PCNs written off for other reasons (e.g. 641 713
keeper untraceable)
22
PCNs Issued Month By Month - Higher/Lower Rate
6,000
5,000
4,000
Number Issued
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
Apr-09 May-09 Jun-09 Jul-09 Aug-09 Sep-09 Oct-09 Nov-09 Dec-09 Jan-10 Feb-10 Mar-10
Month
The above graph shows the number of Higher Rate and Lower Rate Parking PCNs
issued, each month throughout 2009-10.
23
Parking PCNs cancelled - reasons for cancellation
No. No.
Cancellation Reason Cancellation Reason
cancelled cancelled
Permit holder 1,050 Valid Ring-go Session 21
Valid P & D Ticket 866 Admin error 18
General cancellation 676 No Contest Appeal 18
Disabled Badge / 531 HH Printer Failure 14
Disabled Badge 1st Offence
Loading/Delivery/collection 322 No valid TRO in place 13
PA error 294 Traffic Penalty Tribunal decision 13
PCN not printed by external print bureau 197 Stolen car 12
Permit application in progress 184 Bay Suspension in place 10
Gesture of goodwill 112 Duplicate PCN issued for same 9
contravention
Signing & lining incorrect 111 System error 7
Machine Fault 106 Dispensation 6
Medical Evidence provided 91 Postal PCN not served correctly 6
System error - too late to issue PCN 89 Gone for Change 5
Breakdown evidence provided 78 Statutory Undertakings (or similar) 4
carrying out works
On higher authority from management 76 Test Ticket for TMA / Psion 4
Compassionate Reason 60 Driver gone for change 3
PA input wrong location / v.r.m. 53 Incorrect vehicle make 3
Mitigating circumstances 44 Marked Police car 3
Driver returned-PCN 41 Instructed by a police officer to park 2
not served/issued correctly
Restricted Zone - First Offence 38 Amendments to PPZ TRO Not in place at 1
PCN date
Poor Signage 37 HH not served-case not progressed in 1
accordance with TMA
Unmarked Police Cars on business 34 Liquidation 1
Wrong Contravention Code 23 Lost Car Keys 1
Total Number of Cancellations 5,288
24
PCNs Issued By Contravention
From 31 March 2008, there have been two levels of charge for parking contraventions. The
more serious contraventions are now charged at the higher level of £70 (£35 if paid within 14
days of service). Less serious contraventions are charged at the lower level of £50 (£25 if
paid within 14 days of service). The tables below show each of the contraventions and how
many have been issued during the period April 2009 to March 2010.
On Street
01 Parked in a restricted street during prescribed hours 12,530
02 Parked or loading/unloading in a restricted street where waiting and loading/unloading 7,049
restrictions are in force
12 Parked in a residents' or shared use parking space without clearly displaying either a permit or a 2,853
voucher or pay and display ticket issued for that place
16 Parked in a permit space without displaying a valid permit 9,162
21 Parked in a suspended bay/space or part of bay/space 1
23 Parked in a parking place or area not designated for that class of vehicle 681
25 Parked in a loading place during restricted hours without loading 1,911
40 Parked in a designated disabled person's parking place without clearly displaying a valid 1,446
disabled person's badge and parking disc.
45 Parked on a taxi rank 1,354
46 Stopped where prohibited (on a red route or clearway) 1,445
47 Stopped on a restricted bus stop/stand 364
49 Parked wholly or partly on a cycle track or lane 3
Total 38,799
Off-Street
81 Parked in a restricted area in a car park 4
85 Parked in a permit bay without clearly displaying a valid permit 730
87 Parked in a disabled person's parking space without clearly displaying a valid disabled person's 24
badge and parking disc.
99 Stopped on a pedestrian crossing and/or crossing area marked by zig-zags 69
Total 827
25
Lower Level Contraventions Issued
On-Street
05 Parked after the expiry of paid for time. 5,033
06 Parked without clearly displaying a valid pay & display ticket 4,748
07 Parked with payment made to extend the stay beyond initial time 51
19 Parked in a parking place without clearly displaying the required permit or pay and display ticket 2,116
22 Reparked in the same parking place within the specified time of leaving zone 21
24 Not parked correctly within the markings of the bay or space 70
30 Parked for longer than permitted 1,235
Total 13,274
Off-Street
82 Parked after the expiry of time paid for. 1,332
83 Parked in a car park without clearly displaying a valid pay & display ticket 2,022
84 Parked with additional payment made to extend the stay beyond time first purchased 2
86 Parked beyond the bay markings 62
Total 3,418
26
Bus Lane PCNs cancelled - reasons for cancellation
27
Traffic Penalty Tribunal Parking PCNs
The tables below show a comparison of all The statistics for parking PCNs show that
eight core cities in respect of PCNs which the percentage of cases referred to the
have been appealed to the Traffic Penalty tribunal for Sheffield City Council is slightly
Tribunal. Only five of the core cities below the average of all eight core cities.
currently carry out bus lane enforcement. The percentage of cases not contested and
cases allowed by the Adjudicator are
slightly above average, where as the
percentage of appeals refused by the
Adjudicator is slightly below the average.
SPA/PPA Appeals PCN’s Rate of Not Allowed by Total Refused by Awaiting
Area Rec’d issued appeal per Contested by Adjudicator allowed Adjudicator decision
PCN council incl. not incl. out of
contested time and
by council withdrawn by
appellant
28
Bus Lane PCNs
The statistics for bus lane PCNs show that
the percentage of cases referred to the
tribunal for Sheffield City Council is slightly
above the average of all five core cities
which carry out bus lane enforcement. The
percentage of cases not contested is
slightly below the average and the
percentage of cases allowed by the
Adjudicator is slightly above average, as is
the percentage of appeals refused by the
Adjudicator
29
Financial Information
The income and expenditure for Parking Services for the financial year 2009-10 was as
shown below. The comparative figures for 2008-9 are also shown.
Expenditure
Employee Costs 2,196,515 2,187,745
Premises Costs 1,161,364 1,203,421
Transport 100,328 85,704
Supplies & Services 516,071 563,847
Support Services 723,330 799,831
Total Expenditure 4,697,608 4,840,548
The surplus generated from the City Council’s parking activities contributes to the overall
provision of Transportation, Parking and Highway services in the city.
30
The income and expenditure for Bus Lane Enforcement for the financial year 2009-10 was as
shown below. The comparative figures for 2008-9 are also shown.
Expenditure
Employee Costs (see note 1 below) 0 16,664
Premises Costs 0 0
Transport 0 0
Supplies & services 161,890 176,855
Support Services 309,996 144,000
Capital Financing Costs 111,593 199,084
Total Expenditure 583,479 536,603
31
Glossary of Terms
32
NTO Notice To Owner A Notice to Owner is a statutory notice served by the authority to the
person they believe is the owner of a vehicle which has been issued
with a Penalty Charge Notice. This notice is served for parking
contraventions where a penalty issued by a CEO remains unpaid after
28 days. Within 28 days of the Notice to Owner, the owner is
required to either make payment of the full penalty charge or make
representations against liability for the charge.
PATROL Parking and Traffic The body responsible for the management of the Traffic Penalty
Regulations Outside Tribunal
London
P&D Pay & Display The means of paying for parking, whereby a ticket is purchased from
a nearby machine and is then displayed on the vehicle, as proof of
payment. The ticket shows the expiry time of the period for which
parking has been paid.
PCN Penalty Charge Notice The notice which is issued when a parking contravention has taken
place. A PCN can be affixed to the vehicle, handed to the driver, or in
certain circumstances issued by post to the registered keeper of the
vehicle.
PPZ Permit Parking Zone An area in which parking restrictions are in place, including parking
bays specifically for holders of parking permits. (Usually residents in
the relevant area, but often including other classes of permit holder
such as visitors or businesses).
Registered Keeper This is the person or organisation recorded at the Driver and Vehicle
Licensing Agency (DVLA) as being the keeper of a vehicle. Under the
concept of owner liability, the registered keeper is presumed to be
the owner of the vehicle for the purposes of enforcement, appeal and
debt recovery action.
SCC Sheffield City Council The local government authority for Sheffield
Traffic Penalty Tribunal The independent tribunal which has been specifically set up to
decide appeals against parking and certain other traffic penalties,
when the appellant's representations to the local authority which
issued the penalty, have been rejected.
TRO Traffic Regulation Order The legal document which puts in place a parking or other traffic
restriction. The signs and lines or road markings which denote
restrictions must be supported by a TRO to enable enforcement of
the restriction.
Write Off A PCN is written-off when we are unable to pursue the penalty and
close the case without accepting payment. This may be when the
DVLA has no information about the registered keeper, or even after
our bailiff companies have attempted to collect the debt without
success.
33
Parking Services Staff Structure
Parking
Services
Manager
Operations
Manager Maintenance, Asst Manager Asst Manager
Transport & - System - Finance,
Security Admin & Admin &
Manager Processing Processing
Senior
Maintenance,
C.E.O.s
&
(6 full time,
Development
1P.T.)
Officer
Technical
Support
Civil Officers
Enforcement (7 Posts)
Process & Administration
Officers
Assistants (16 posts)
(54 F.T. Posts
4 P.T. Posts)
Communications
Asst
34
35
This document can be supplied in alternative formats,
please contact 0114 273 5886
Sheffield City Council
Parking Services
Tel: 0114 273 5886
www.sheffield.gov.uk