Parking officers quit enforcement roles in North Ayrshire

Independent councillor Ian Murdoch from the North Coast ward asked the local authority how many officers have left or handed in their notice in relation to their positions.

Fresh recruitment has taken place, while the council have also responded to concerns raised by Cllr Murdoch in relation to working conditions.

A one-hour limit on parking on designated streets across North Ayrshire was introduced, along with a variety of other restrictions, at the end of March.

This was under a new regime of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement, which saw the power to enforce parking infringements pass from Police Scotland to North Ayrshire Council.

A two week bedding in period took place in April before the new one hour parking and no return was introduced in town centres throughout North Ayrshire.

Speaking at the most recent council meeting, Cllr Murdoch said: "It is approaching six months since decriminalised parking enforcement was introduced.

"How many parking enforcement officers have left or handed their notice in by the date of this meeting?"

Cllr Ian Murdoch (Image: Newsquest)

Councillor Tony Gurney, cabinet member for green environment and economy, responded: "Four parking enforcement officers have left and one has just handed in their notice.

"Three new parking enforcement officers have been recruited and have commenced employment and a further officer is due to commence training on the 24th, a further job advert is being issued to fill the remaining vacancy."

Cllr Murdoch then raised several concerns and asked if the cabinet officer was concerned that five out of six had left within six months of the scheme being introduced.

Cllr Murdoch also asked for assurances that measures will be introduced to improve working conditions after alleged concerns that there were no dedicated facilities to get dry, warm or having a break, and that there was only one dedicated vehicle between six officers to get across North Ayrshire.

Cllr Murdoch also said he was aware of "other issues having been highlighted" in relation to working conditions.

Cllr Gurney admitted that he had heard of some of the concerns raised, but various measures had been put in place.

He said: "One person retired, one went back to university, one simply didn't enjoy working outside.

"All of our officers have been given lists of council buildings to get dry, and where they can go to use their facilities.

Cllr Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy at NAC (Image: Newsquest)

"In terms of vehicles, most of these enforcement officers work in town centres and it is not considered necessary for vehicles to be supplied.

"They are supposed to be walking not driving. I am not convinced that is entirely required."

Chief Executive Craig Hatton offered Cllr Murdoch the opportunity to address his concerns further with him personally after the meeting.

In the first two weeks of the parking rules being enforced, there were 500 penalty charges issued, with 218 penalties paid so far,  and the sum of £11,000 was brought in over the last two weeks of April.