Gosport Borough Council Community Board Meeting

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Councillor Burgess declared a personal interest in agenda item 6 as a Hampshire County Council representative on PATROL committee

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2020 be signed as a true and correct record.

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Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Streetscene requesting that the Council revoke the current Gosport and Lee-on-the-Solent (off street) Car Parking Regulations Order 2012 and implement a new car Parking Order to allow Gosport Borough Council to continue enforcement in Off Street Parking as required, following Hampshire County Councils application to introduce Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) in Gosport.

Members welcomed the report and expressed concern that the police had not given priority to parking issues since the withdrawal of the Traffic Warden. They were aware of the abuse of current parking restrictions and the anti-social parking on double yellow lines and obstruction of residential roads.

Members were advised that there would be no increase in car park charges at this stage and that town centre permits would still be recognised.

Members expressed concern about the effect on visitors to the High Street, but hoped that shoppers would be encouraged to use the car parks, more public transport, cycling or walking.

Members received confirmation that parking fines in car parks would still be paid to Gosport Borough Council, and fines incurred on the highway would go to Hampshire County Council. Under membership of PATROL, 30p of each penalty notice would be paid to cover costs of adjudication. Clarification was requested from the officers on whether this sum would be refunded if the penalty notice was overturned.

Members were advised that signage would reflect the single TRO which would encapsulate the over 500 current TRO’s.

Members were advised that there should be no change to the budget. Amendments to signage to reflect the changes in legislation would be carried out in house, and the only impact to the Enforcement Officers would be the addition of Civil to their title. It was hoped that more people using the car parks would help to generate an increase in income.

Members were advised that if the recommendation was refused by the Board, it would impact Hampshire County Council’s application to the Secretary of State to bring off street parking in line with on street.

Members welcomed the close working with Hampshire County Council and hoped it would bring clarity to the public’s understanding of who was responsible for on street and off street parking control. Clarification was needed regarding the publicity campaign that would be run to advise Gosport residents of the changes.

RESOLVED: That the Community Board:

1.    Agree to join the Joint Committee of England and Wales for the Civil Enforcement of Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London, which oversees the adjudication service known as the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT)

2.    Approve the appointment of ‘enforcement agents’ to collect parking debts.

3.    Delegate to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Head of Streetscene, the powers:

a)    To agree the tems, in conjunction with the Borough Solicitor and Monitoring Officer, of any legal agreements that need to be entered into between the Council and the Traffic penalty Tribunal, the Traffic Enforcement Centre and the DVLA in order to implement CPE.

b)    To make and changes considered necessary in order to meet the requirements of the Traffic management Act 2004, in light of current and future Statutory Guidance.

c)    To take all steps necessary to introduce the Gosport Borough Council (Off Street Parking Places) (Civil Parking Enforcement) Order 2020 in order to implement CPE in the council’s off-street car parks, and to meet the requirements of the 2004 Act.

And: recommend that Full Council nominate and resolve that a Representative and Substitute Representative are appointed to stand on the Joint Committee

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