New arrangements for parking in Wokingham have been given the go-ahead, and the rules will be policed by a team of enforcers.
In some areas of Wokingham, Woodley, Earley and the surrounding villages, people need permits to park in the street.
These permits control who is allowed to park in a road. Anyone caught parking without a permit can be fined.
Currently, there are 16 controlled parking zones in Wokingham borough.
Resident permits cost £40 a year. That amount is set to increase by £15 to £55 for a single car, rising by £65 to £105 for a second car.
The price increase was discussed at a meeting of Wokingham borough council’s executive committee.
Supporting the policy, Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, executive member for finance and governance said: “I know we can’t magic up any more spaces in Wokingham town centre, so it’s about making the best use of the spaces that we’ve got.
“I strongly believe these changes, the parking permit scheme, will increase the parking availability for those residents who need the spaces.
“And making the rules fair and consistent is also an important move.”
The council also has to select a new enforcement company to issue fines, as the current contract with Marston Holdings expires next year.
Adrian Betteridge, executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said: “The council undertakes its statutory duty of civil parking enforcement through an outsourced parking enforcement contract.
“This is set to expire on September 30, 2026, and there is no option in the contract to extend.
“Civil parking enforcement in Wokingham borough is a relatively small operation compared to many larger local authorities, and as a result, insourcing of the wide range of specialist services involved would present particular challenges at our scale of operation.
“Finally, our experience of outsourcing service delivery recently has been positive, and we believe it has represented value for money.”
A procurement process will take place to appoint a new contractor.
Stephen Conway, leader fo the council,initially liked the idea of having council staff issue fines along with other duties.
However, following assessment of the options, he agreed that outsourcing enforcement to a single contractor would be the best way forward.
The council is also introducing a visitor permit scheme, allowing residents in controlled zones to allow their visitors to stay without incurring a fine.
These will cost £12 for three-hour permits, £26 for six-hour permits, £30 for 12-hour permits and £50 for 24-hour permits.
The executive committee unanimously agreed to search for an enforcement contractor and introduce the new residential parking permit arrangements at the meeting on Thursday, November 20.
