There are currently over 80 Full Time Equivalent Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) patrolling the city, checking vehicles on the city’s streets and in surface car parks, this is known as on street enforcement. Off street enforcement refers to CEOs patrolling the 5 barrier car parks in the city.
The table below shows the number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCN’s) issued in the last four years, divided according to higher and lower fee banding. Parking contraventions deemed to be “less serious” will incur a lower initial penalty than more serious offences.
The number of Penalty Charge Notices issued in 2022 to 2023 increased by 3,860.
| Total of Traffic Management Act (TMA) penalty charge notices issued | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-street: Number of higher-level penalty charge notices issued | 96,156 | 79,625 | 109,653 | 111,254 |
| On-street: Number of lower-level penalty charge notices issued | 26,452 | 20,086 | 28,333 | 29,565 |
| Off-street: Number of higher-level penalty charge notices issued | 134 | 55 | 277 | 554 |
| Off-street: Number of lower-level penalty charge notices issued | 1,506 | 1,479 | 4,057 | 4,807 |
| Total | 124,248 | 101,244 | 142,320 | 146,180 |
The graph shows the amount of penalty charge notices issued from 2019 to 2023. There has been a steady increase in the amount of PCN’s issued.
| Penalty Charge Notices Paid Bus Lane & Traffic Management Act (TMA) | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of TMA & Bus Lane penalty charge notices paid | 129,055 | 101,585 | 213,549 | 170,641 |
| Percentage of penalty charge notices paid | 72% | 63% | 76% | 72% |
| Number of TMA & Bus Lane penalty charge notices paid at a discount rate | 109,273 | 86,205 | 184,774 | 143,303 |
| Percentage of penalty charge notices paid at a discount rate | 61% | 53% | 66% | 61% |
We have a statutory requirement to consider economic, social, and environmental well-being in connection with public service contracts. We want to get the maximum impact for our residents from the millions of pounds spent in the city on public services.
Below are just some of the actions that our Enforcement Contractor, NSL are undertaking with regards to social value:
Currently 82% of the workforce reside in the Brighton and Hove area.
NSL have pledged to employ one local person from disadvantaged groups each year during the period of the contract. Networking is taking place to link up with organisations that work with people from disadvantaged groups, Brighton Housing trust, and The Youth employment Hub have been approached to arrange meetings, to discuss how they can work together to support disadvantaged groups including the homeless back into work.
NSL have a shadowing programme - for long term homeless or unemployed to experience the role which can lead to offering a position. NSL are committed to employ 3 homeless people over the contract term.
The Council’s Civil Enforcement Officers have a highly visible presence across Brighton & Hove. During their shifts Officers will frequently provide support to residents and visitors in the city. This could include directions to local services and places of interest, reporting crimes and assisting other agencies including the emergency services.
Below are a few examples of when CEO’s have helped in the community.
Senior CEO (Civil Enforcement Officer) 153 while in Florence Road witnessed an argument taking place, a pan flew into the road and crashed down in the middle of the junction. He observed two males, one with a table leg hitting the door of a property. One of the males approached SCEO 153 and asked if he would call the police, SCEO 153 noticed the male had smears of blood on his face, hand, and foot. The male informed SCEO 153 that he had been attacked with a knife and asked that the police be called. SCEO 153, immediately dialled 999 and advised the call handler what had happened.
Whilst 153 was on the phone to the call handler a male approached him and identified himself as a police officer. He praised 153 for his actions. The police arrived and the offender was arrested.
CEO 1060 came across a lady who felt faint and after asking if she was ok, provided support walking to the bus stop. As bus was arriving, he called a Taxi for her.
CEO 647 was approached by a male who had received an eviction notice and said he could not read very well and did not know what to do. The CEO read the notice for him and advised him to contact the number on the letter urgently.
Every September, NSL conduct a survey regarding CEO abuse. This gives us an indication as to whether verbal abuse at all levels is reducing or increasing. NSL ask the CEOs to log any instances of abuse on their HHCs as follows:
This is completely separate to whether or not the CEO needs to call a code for support.
The level of abuse logs measured has fallen in 2022 and is back to the level seen in 2020. The top 10 locations logged were all in zone Z, in the central part of the city.
The above graph shows the levels of Civil Enforcement office since 2020. The figures have decreased since last year.
Line Urgent issues requiring enforcement action can be dealt with by calling the rapid response telephone service: 0345 603 5469 (option 2). The team will aim to send an officer to the reported location within one hour of the call being made. Problems reported between 8pm and 9am will be dealt with as soon as possible, when service resumes the next morning.
| Month | Number of calls |
|---|---|
| Apr 2022 | 728 |
| May 2022 | 754 |
| Jun 2022 | 658 |
| Jul 2022 | 775 |
| Aug 2022 | 712 |
| Sep 2022 | 631 |
| Oct 2022 | 667 |
| Nov 2022 | 860 |
| Dec 2022 | 581 |
| Jan 2023 | 750 |
| Feb 2023 | 734 |
| Mar 2023 | 903 |
The Rapid Response service has seen a steady increase in calls over the last 3 years.
The above graph shows the amount of rapid response calls received yearly since 2020. There has been an increase year on year.
A school enforcement rota is in force during school term with 4 schools being visited each day across the city by Enforcement Officers at drop off and pick up times to ensure all parking restrictions such as school keep clear signs are enforced. The parking team work collaboratively with the Head teachers, the School Streets team, Road Safety team and Police and meet regularly to discuss schools experiencing issues during school run times.
NSL have a dedicated Enforcement Officer that enforces all bus routes across the city, ensuring bus lanes and bus stops are kept clear to enable the city’s buses to keep moving.