It's about quality, common sense and listening to residents. <br><br>That was the message when Islington Council recently appointed the borough's revamped parking enforcement contract to NCP. The parking contract has been completely overhauled, with a panel of Islington residents providing much of the direction. <br><br>Cllr Lucy Watt, Islington Council's Executive Member for Environment, said: <br><br>"When it comes to parking enforcement, people think it is common sense to measure performance against quality outcomes, like good behaviour and minimal mistakes, rather than on the number of tickets issued and that's what we've done. <br><br>"After listening to residents' views and with the help of a citizens' panel, we have designed a parking contract that will drive the kind of behaviour and common sense approach we want to see from our parking attendants. <br><br>"The panel suggested that residents should be paid 'time and trouble' money if a ticket was incorrectly issued -- that's in the contract. <br><br>"They said that bonuses should be based on not making mistakes and keeping complaints down, not on how many tickets are issued -- that's in the contract. <br><br>"This new contract is a positive step forward and I believe Islington has now moved into a position where we are one of the most progressive councils in inner London when it comes to parking enforcement."<br><br>Elizabeth Sidney, a member of the citizens' panel who helped design the contract, said: "I felt this was a valiant, early attempt to involve the citizens and I very much welcomed it as such. I also appreciated the frank and helpful way the council staff worked with us. It's good that there has been a positive outcome, with some useful points to discuss with the parking services."<br><br>Another panel member, Carole Dawson, added: "Like most motorists and residents, I just want somewhere to park my car as conveniently and cheaply as possible. But the sheer scale and daunting nature of all the elements which go to make up a comprehensive parking policy was an eye-opener. And, hopefully, it has made me a little less selfish in my thinking as a motorist."<br><br>The new contract will come into effect in September this year. It focuses on quality standards and measures, such as: <br>· no targets for the number of tickets issued <br>· high standards set for parking attendants' behaviour <br>· in certain circumstances, NCP will make a £25 'time and trouble' payment to drivers that are incorrectly ticketed <br><br>In addition, the only bonuses NCP can achieve are for quality measures and the council can penalise NCP if they fail to meet any of the standards set in the new contract. <br><br>For further information about parking in Islington visit www.islington.gov.uk/parking or phone the council on 020 7527 2000.<br><br>Ends <br>
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009