But unions don't believe it will be a good deal for all
Ealing, Hounslow and Brent councils have united to create a unique parking service, the first and biggest of its kind in the country.
The three boroughs, which are part of the West London Alliance, have approved international service company, Serco, as the chosen contractor to run their parking services.
It's hoped that the five-year contract will lead to improved parking services, thanks to new technology and more efficient working practices. But there have been warnings that if parking charges are harmonised, Hounslow residents - who currently pay the least - will have to pay more.
Union and Unite said in a joint statement: "We are extremely concerned about these proposals, and fear that - once parking services are under the day to day control of a private company out to make a profit - this will not be a good deal for the residents of the borough, not a good deal for the Authority, and not a good deal for our members who work in the Parking Service."
However, Councillor Ed Mayne, Hounslow Council’s cabinet member for community safety and regulatory services, has reassured local residents and said: “This trailblazing agreement represents a great deal for Hounslow’s taxpayers and motorists.
“It shows the way ahead for other councils who are faced with a perfect storm of cuts and rising costs, so it’s a no-brainer for us to team up with our west London neighbours to deliver a high quality parking service and save money for Hounslow residents to boot.”
Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport and environment at Ealing Council, said: "This new contract is an excellent example of how west London boroughs are coming together to ensure we can make the savings that are needed whilst at the same time making real, palpable improvements in service.
“Ealing's Parking team has seen year on year reductions in the issuing of PCNs over the past three years whilst rolling out improved services such as pay-by-phone for visitors and in the future, virtual parking permits for residents. The new contract gives us an opportunity to build on these improvements and offers us options going forward for potential further savings."
Councillor Jim Moher, Brent Council’s lead member for highways and transportation, said: “The contract will make substantial financial savings for Brent at a time when we are getting to grips with perhaps the worst financial settlement in the borough's history. What’s more, it will further modernise our parking services by investing in new technology, and deliver the high-quality service Brent's residents, businesses and drivers expect."
Elaine Bailey, Managing Director of Serco Home Affairs, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this exciting new contract to run parking services for the West London Alliance. Serco has extensive experience in managing complex operations and innovative technologies to deliver efficiencies and economies of scale – and ultimately provide cost savings.”
The new service will see the introduction of ‘virtual’ parking permits for controlled parking zones, meaning motorists will no longer have to display paper permits on their windscreens.
It's expected that the introduction of new IT and pooling of back office resources will improve the services delivered to both residents and visitors to each of the boroughs.
20th March 2013
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