Agenda and minutes

Martin Beard, Parking Services Manager, to report.

-  to consider publication of offenders’ details on the Council’s web site.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Parking Services Manager, detailing proposals to identify, on the Council’s web site and via press releases, offenders who have been prosecuted for fraudulent use of disabled persons’ blue badges.

The purpose of the proposals was to deter fraudulent use of the blue badges and to reduce re-offending.

Reference was made to guidance from the Home Office and Ministry of Justice and to the advice from the Council’s own Legal service.

It was confirmed that the information would only appear for 28 days, and there would be facility to remove the information should circumstances necessitate.

Details of the risks and uncertainties were set out in the submitted report, together with guidance to be used by the delegated officer in each case to mininise the risks.

It was reported that a meeting was scheduled with both the Chair and Clerk to the Magistrates.

Members present discussed:-

-          Court actions

-          Fees from fixed penalty notices

-          Driver rehabilitation schemes

-          New offences being introduced

-          Investment in a roaming enforcement vehicle

The proposals, as detailed in the submitted report, were supported by the Cabinet Member.

Resolved-  (1)  That Cabinet be asked to approve:-

(i)  the adoption of a policy to publicise details of convictions, in relation to the fraudulent use of disabled persons' blue badges, on the Council's website and via a press release.

(ii)  that the responsibility for making a decision to publicise on a case by case basis be delegated to the Council's Parking Services Manager.

(2)  That the Parking Services Manager submit a report to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member for Town Centres in respect of the investment in a roaming enforcement vehicle.

(The Cabinet Member authorised consideration of the following item in order to keep informed of the current situation.)

Further to Minute No. 34 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Town Centres held on 24^th January, 2011, the Retail Investment Manager gave a verbal update on the current position with respect to mobile food trading.

It was reported that following consultation with business in the locality of pitch 5 no objections had been received and the mobile food trader had therefore been offered weekly licenses.  Reference was also made to the availability of a catering unit with equipment in the open market area.

Reference was also made to the success of the Shop Local initiative.

Resolved:  (1)  That the update regarding mobile food trading be noted.

(2)                   That should any objections be received following the commencement of trading on pitch 5, then these be reported to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member for Town Centres.

(3)  That the Retail Investment Manager prepares a submission for the APSE awards in respect of the Shop Local initiative.