Hackney brings parking service in-house

Enforcement team will have better conditions, says London council

Civil enforcement officers working for Hackney Council’s parking service have been brought back into council employment.

The parking service had previously been outsourced to APCOA Parking.

Parking is the latest service area to be brought back inhouse as part of the east London council’s ‘insourcing’ drive, which aims to support the local economy and guarantee fair pay for its employees.

The council says that as an in-house service the parking team will have better pay and conditions.

The parking team will also have an expanded role that will see them tackle engine idling, untaxed and abandoned vehicles and Blue Badge fraud.

In addition to their role enforcing the borough’s parking zones – helping to improve road safety and tackle pollution –civil enforcement officers (CEOs) will also patrol school gates to enforce against engine idling and will also report fly tipping and anti-social behaviour if they come across it.

Some 54 enforcement officers are now employed directly by the council in a new structure that will see teams work in one of three districts – north, central and south Hackney – which will mean teams have more flexibility to respond to road safety issues as they arise.

The CEOs will be supported by a team of 18 CCTV enforcement officers and six nuisance vehicle officers, who have also been brought back in-house.

Mayor of Hackney Philip Glanville said: “We’ve long been committed to insourcing staff because it ensures they have fairer pay and conditions, which is especially important as we go through the cost of living crisis, and means we can offer a better service to local residents.

“Insourced services also tend to perform better and save us all money. It was great to join officers at the Tomlinson Centre to celebrate their return to the council.”

Cllr Mete Coban MBE, cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport, said: “Parking enforcement officers play a crucial role in promoting road safety, tackling pollution and keeping buses moving in the borough. I’m delighted that they’re now coming back inhouse so we can make the service more responsive for residents and provide greater career opportunities for our staff.”

APCOA Parking has praised several civil enforcement officers (CEOs) who came to the aid of members of the public in difficulty during May.

Two CEOs working in Sandwell in the West Midlands had stopped their car to pick up a colleague. Whilst they waited, the officers heard a noise and both turned to see an elderly lady on the ground and a male running from the scene with a red handbag that he had stolen.

The two colleagues followed the assailant up the hill in their car and then one officer exited the vehicle in order to pursue the fleeing attacker on foot. The officer subsequently returned the bag to its rightful owner.

In the London Borough of Hillingdon, an APCOA CEO stopped near an infant school on his route to change a tyre for a distraught resident who was struggling and already late for work. When prolifically thanked for his help and asked for his full name so that he could be recognised by the council, he refused, only saying that: “It is my duty as a human to help people in distress.”

The resident was sufficiently moved to contact the local council who shared the comments with APCOA.

An APCOA spokesperson added: “The officer in question works as a CEO for the borough as well as studying for further qualifications as a student. He is a great role model for our community and a real asset to our team.”

“Not all superheroes wear capes,” said Kim Challis, APCOA regional managing director UK&I. “We are very proud of the work that our CEO’s do every day, come rain or shine, and often in the face of much unwarranted criticism. These officers showed both kindness and courage and are such a valuable part of their communities.”