AN in-depth study of options for the future of Warrington’s loss-making parking service has concluded that the best way forward will be to carry on as at present.
A report, to be presented to next Monday’s meeting of the borough council’s executive board by Cllr Linda 
Dirir, (pictured) lead member for transportation, will recommend that the council continues to provide parking services in partnership with the private sector, following a re-tendering exercise.
Seven private sector contractors have expressed an interest in bidding for the service, including the current operators, APCOA.
Three other options have been considered – taking the service “in house”, putting the service fully out to an external contractor, or providing a “shared service” with another local authority.
But the report indicates that re-tendering for a partnership arrangement with the private sector is likely to be the best deal, costing £630,000 – and saving about £30,000 on current costs.
Taking the service in house would be the most costly option at an estimated £980,000 – mainly due to staff costs.
Putting the service fully out to an external contractor would be little different to the existing arrangement but would produce an estimated saving of about £20,000 on current costs.
The fourth option cannot be considered further as no other council has expressed an interest in a shared service.
This time last year, the council reported that parking services were losing £242,000 a year – although off street parking was making a surplus of £51,000.
The losses were being made on council staff parking (£106,000), residents’ parking schemes (£129,000) and on street parking (£58,000).
Councillors agreed to look at other ways of boosting income – including charging for on street parking, estimated to bring in £79,000 and using CCTV on bus lane enforcement, estimated to bring in £125,000.
In addition there was the controversial increased charges for parking on council car parks at Stockton Heath and Lymm – which according to critics of the proposals would bring in more than £200,000.
The council claims it objective is to make the parking service as a whole break even.
Loss making parking service is still the best way forward says council report
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
7 Comments
Give all council employees a bus pass.
Or, make one of the well paid senior officers responsible for parking with a performance related salary. In other words introduce private sector practices. Losses would reduce very quickly and it might also help reduce other council overheads.
using CCTV on bus lane enforcement- it already exists at Bridge Foot and is usually facing the wrong way to catch anyone using the bus lanes there- if this means CCTV on buses then it may help.
Councillor Dirdir and her colleagues need to set an example and remove free parking for councillors leading to more of them using public transport.
Where is the free parking?
Quite right Nick, don’t always agree with your remarks but on this one your spot on, I’d call it another example of hypocrisy we see at all levels of those in power.
In front of and side of the town hall