This report provides an update on the development of a new Parking Strategy and a new Civil Enforcement Contract, and seeks approval for a two-year extension to the contract for Civil Enforcement with NSL Ltd.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing an update on the development of a new Parking Strategy and a new Civil Enforcement Contract, and seeking approval for an extension to the contract for Civil Enforcement with NSL Ltd.

The report noted that the current Civil Enforcement Contract with NSL Ltd had commenced in November 2014 for a term of up to 10 years, consisting of an initial term of five years and extensions of a period or periods of not less than one year up to five years.  The Committee had agreed contract extensions in January 2019 and January 2020, and the report summarised the work completed since the January 2020 extension had been agreed.

During the year officers had worked with specialist parking consultants who had been appointed to guide the Council towards a new Civil Enforcement Contract and a new Parking Strategy.  This work had included the implementation and review of the performance of the improvements agreed as a part of the current contract extension, a review of the procurement strategy, and the outline development of a new parking strategy to align with the objectives of the new Reading Transport Strategy, which was due to be adopted early 2021.

The report set out the next stages and recommended that, in light of the impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic on the original programme, and the need to continue further detailed work on the most appropriate route to Market for any new Civil Enforcement (Parking) contract and development of a new parking strategy for Reading, a further extension of the existing Civil Enforcement (Parking) contract with NSL Ltd be approved for up to two years.

Resolved –

(1)      That progress made on the development of a new Parking Strategy and a new Civil Enforcement Contract be noted;

(2)      That an extension to the contract for Civil Enforcement with NSL Ltd from 1 November 2021 - 31 October 2022, and if needed to 31 October 2023, be agreed in accordance with the terms of the contract;

(3)      That the ongoing development of a new Parking Strategy and a new Civil Enforcement (Parking) Contract over the next 12 months be endorsed.