Residents have been warned not to expect too much when Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) is implemented on the Shotley peninsula, and beyond, from April 6

Babergh District Council's Cabinet today approved its Joint Area Parking Management Plan, working in conjunction with Mid-Suffolk, West Suffolk, Ipswich Borough and Suffolk County, councils, which is a step towards adopting CPE next month.

The new arrangement means police will no longer enforce or prosecute a range of parking infringements, and instead civil enforcement officers (CEOs), employed by the councils, will patrol the districts and issue tickets when necessary.

But councillors expressed concern at what the CPE could deliver and warned people should not expect too much.

Cllr Alastair McCraw, Brantham ward and chair of Babergh's overview and scrutiny committee, said: The Plan is the start. What I think we'll see is where we have existing parking restrictions, like double yellow lines, there will be some spot checks and maybe tickets.

"Then, as the system beds in, the enforcement officers will work out where the hot spots are, develop their routes and get more systematic. It won't happen overnight, but civil enforcement will be better than the none at all our villages previously had."

Following a debate at Endeavour House this morning Elizabeth Malvisi, Babergh portfolio holder for the environment, today warned the cabinet: "Everybody's expectation of CPE are unrealistic and we have raised that with the county council. It is hoped the PR message going out will help to reduce that expectation level and direct it to a realistic outcome.

"The CEOs will visit all locations, from Ipswich, they will visit the villages in the east, from West Suffolk into Sudbury and surrounding villages. They (CEOs) need to tour around the villages to get a feel for what is going on where."

Local authorities applying for civil parking enforcement (CPE) powers must provide a summary of its parking strategies and policies as part of its submission and the detail and outcome of its parking management review.

A stakeholder consultation process was undertaken February -May 2019. Babergh is required to have a parking policy and to demonstrate that they have reviewed the content of Suffolk County Councils Parking Management Strategy which forms part of the application to the DfT for the granting of CPE powers for the remaining majority of Suffolk requires the district and boroughs to develop Area Parking Plans.

The Department for Transport (DfT) expects every local authority to have a parking policy. The DfT also expects local authorities to regularly appraise their parking policies and objectives and consult the public as part of their formulation.

Local authorities applying for civil parking enforcement (CPE) powers must provide a summary of its parking strategies and policies as part of its submission and the detail and outcome of its parking management review.

Meanwhile, The Department for Transport (DfT) says it is aiming to help pedestrians, amid particular concern around the elderly, vulnerable and disabled.

The Government will consult on whether to give local authorities more power to tackle the problem but there are fears that a ban could lead to parking chaos problems.

Parking on pavements is currently banned in London but only prohibited for lorries elsewhere. But people who park in a dangerous position or cause an unnecessary obstruction can still be fined, and a mixture of criminal and civil sanctions are available to police and local councils to enforce restrictions on pavement parking.

Watch the CPE debate at Babergh cabinet, which was live streamed on You Tube starting at 1:02.35.

Other matters discussed included: General Fund Financial Monitoring Quarter 3, Housing Revenue Account Financial Monitoring Quarter 3, Performance Outcome Reporting Quarter 3, CIL Expenditure Business Plan March 2020