Parking Services at Walsall Council has won a top prize at today’s (06 March) National Parking Partnership Awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
The council and its enforcement agency ‘Penham Excel’ had been jointly nominated in the category of best ‘Unlawful Vehicle Initiative.’ And were recently announced as the winners. Their award comes on the back of Walsall council’s strident action to tackle cloners, uninsured drivers and nuisance vehicles in the borough.
The national judges singled out praise for Parking Services and Penham Excel because of their proactive and effective use of devolved DVLA powers, consequent enforcement action and work with neighbouring authorities and agencies. In September 2019, the council introduced a pilot scheme that used DVLA powers to enforce action. It also called on the expertise ‘Penham Excel’ a leading vehicle enforcement agent that works working closely with the DVLA.
This approach saw an increase in driver and owner accountability and a faster and more effective return on vehicle enforcement action.
From Oct – Dec 2019 Walsall Council Parking Services
- Clamped/lifted nearly 400 un-taxed vehicles.
- Of these 237 vehicles were re- taxed.
- 70 vehicles were identified for destruction and 47 for sale.
Councillor Adrian Andrew portfolio holder for Regeneration and Transport said: “Well done all ! This is terrific news and a truly great win for Walsall. It shows our determination, initiative and a clear approach to problem solving. By deploying ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) across every ward in the borough, we are making a real difference.
The strategic use of DVLA technology, the best enforcement experts and local authority powers, better protects law abiding road users. Importantly it make those offenders who think we are not watching – very accountable.”
