To consider a report from the Executive Member for Environmental Services.

1. That the submission of an application to the Secretary of State for Transport to allow the Council to utilise powers under Part 6 of Traffic Management Act legislation relative to Moving Traffic Offences be approved.

2. That the use of powers that allows postal penalties to be used together with future use of approved devices for Civil Enforcement of parking as detailed in section 9 and 10 of the report be approved.

3. That the delegation of authority to the Corporate Director of Place and Director of Legal & Governance and Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment Services, in relation to any amendments that maybe required as part of the submission for the application for powers be approved.

4. That the delegation of authority to the Corporate Director of Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Environmental Services, to propose and implement any new locations for enforcement in the future in accordance with the consultation requirements of the Act and as set out in Section 8 be approved.

The Executive Member for Environmental Services introduced the report on parking enforcement, which included details of the proposed changes, a timeline for delivery of the plans, details of the outcomes of consultations carried out, and a description of the changes to the Council’s powers. The Leader welcomed the report and how the additional monies raised would be able to fund the improvement of transport links within the borough. The Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing, and Equalities also welcomed the report stating that the measures would help to address issues continually reported by residents.

Councillor Frass noted the report stated further zones could be set without consultation and asked for further clarification. The Executive Member for Environmental Services responded to Councillor Frass and informed him that while the report did delegate additional powers to himself with the agreement of officers it was to enable the Council to utilise those powers to tackle traffic problems in a timely manner. The Executive Member for Environmental Services assured the Committee that Ward Councillors would be consulted with before further developments were implemented.

Councillor Whetton noted that many yellow lines across Trafford were warn, making them hard to discern, and hoped that they would be refreshed and made clear before people were punished using the new powers. Councillor Whetton questioned the junctions that had been selected and asked that something be done to consult with drivers. In response to Councillor Whetton the Executive Member for Environmental Services asked for any Councillors aware of faded lines to report them to him or the relevant officers so they could be addressed. The Executive Member for Environmental Services then spoke about the issues he was aware of with the junctions chosen and informed the Committee why the additional enforcement set out within the report was needed. The Corporate Director of Place added that there were no new powers or box junctions being created but rather a transfer of existing powers from the Police to the Council to enforce existing restrictions. A six-month grace period would be given for infringement of any box junctions created unless it was a second offence within the six-month period.

Councillor Blackburn stated that sufficient notice was not provided to motorists that the road narrowed at the two junctions chosen and asked whether something could be done to address that issue. The Leader responded that this would be picked up after the meeting.

Councillor Newgrosh asked whether there would be any profits after the costs were accounted for and how they would be used. The Executive Member for Environmental Services responded to Councillor Newgrosh informing him that it was difficult to calculate profits and any profits generated would have to be used to support transport within the borough.

Councillor Newgrosh noted that there were only 58 responses to the Council’s consultation and asked whether the outcomes were considered valid given the low level of responses received. The Executive Member for Environmental Services noted the low level of responses, although it was in line with the number of responses usually seen within consultation exercises, and he welcomed input from any Councillors on how to improve the response rate.    

Councillor Welton welcomed the report and noted point 10.4 of the report and asked if details on when the different waiting times would be used would be provided. The Executive Member for Environmental Services responded that further information would be forthcoming.

The Leader then moved the recommendations of the report, and they were approved.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the submission of an application to the Secretary of State for Transport to allow the Council to utilise powers under Part 6 of Traffic Management Act legislation relative to Moving Traffic Offences be approved.

2)    That the use of powers that allows postal penalties to be used together with future use of approved devices for Civil Enforcement of parking as detailed in section 9 and 10 of the report be approved.

3)    That the delegation of authority to the Corporate Director of Place and Director of Legal & Governance and Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment Services, in relation to any amendments that maybe required as part of the submission for the application for powers be approved.

4)    That the delegation of authority to the Corporate Director of Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Environmental Services, to propose and implement any new locations for enforcement in the future in accordance with the consultation requirements of the Act and as set out in Section 8 be approved.