Do Civil Enforcement Officers have targets to meet?
Civil Enforcement Officers do not have targets to issue a set number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs). Each year the Council must prepare a budget setting out its expected income and spending for the coming year. To set the budget, the Council must estimate how many PCNs will be issued during the year. The aim of parking enforcement is not to maximise income for Councils but to improve traffic management for the benefit of the whole community. If any surplus income remains, after the cost of running the service has been deducted, it cannot simply all be added to the Council’s general income. Any surplus in relation to on-street enforcement would be ring-fenced for the purpose of re-investing in future transport improvements. The Council aims to operate a scheme that is self financing and not subsidised by Council tax-payers. No external funding is available. It should however be remembered that, if everyone complied with the parking regulations, no PCNs would be issued.
