Council team nominated for national award

A Shropshire Council team that works to tackle issues including illegal and dangerous parking, litter, graffiti, crime and disorder could be named as the best in the country after bring shortlisted for a national award.

The Shropshire Parking Enforcement Team has been nominated as the Parking Team of the Year in the British Parking Awards 2011.

If chosen the team, also known as Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs), could go on to win the coveted Overall Award. This is presented to the individual category winner which represents the single most outstanding example of excellence in the UK parking industry during the past year.

Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith, Cabinet member for transport and IT, said:

“This nomination is a significant achievement which highlights the dedication and commitment of the Parking
Enforcement Team.

“It also recognises how CEOs have a much broader role than parking enforcement alone – but act as champions for their local area, to promote the well-being of the community as a whole. The independent experts who selected the nominees took into account how the team offers a highly visible, reassuring presence and tackle problems that matter to people.

“The team is very deserving of this accolade and I wish them all the best for success in the awards.”

The roles of the team include:

• Enforcing parking regulations, to encourage sensible and safe parking by making the roads safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians – and help prevent obstructions to emergency vehicles and public transport.
• Enforcing parking regulations, to encourage sensible and safe parking by making the roads safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians – and help prevent obstructions to emergency vehicles and public transport.
• Offering advice and assistance to visitors and residents on parking and other council services.
• Taking part in initiatives including schemes to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.
• Taking action on littering and dog fouling.
• Dealing with basic first aid incidents.
• Getting involved in residential meetings and other community meetings.
• Working with vulnerable groups, including the homeless.
• Working as part of the Shop Watch scheme with other agencies to prevent and report crimes, for example through providing patrols in problem areas, and assisting victims of crime.
• Reporting environmental issues from dangerous buildings, pest control and noise pollution to abandoned vehicles, fly tipping and highways needing repair.
• Supporting community events.
• Helping other council teams clear snow in bad weather.

Examples of how these roles have been carried out include helping someone who had collapsed on a hot day and an elderly man who had fallen down concrete stairs.

Another CEO was instrumental in alerting the relevant agencies and taking action when a person fell into the river and other CEOs have worked in partnership with a school to find solutions and provide information to parents and carers when irresponsible parking put the safety of children at risk.

The winners of the tenth anniversary British Parking Awards 2011 will be announced by comedian Hugh Dennis on Friday 11 March.