Carry on parking – at a loss

A MAJOR review of parking services in Warrington is to be put to the borough council’s executive board – with a recommendation that the council continue with the present system which currently runs at an annual loss of about £242,000.
Officers believe – based on information received through a soft market testing exercise – that savings of about £30,000 can be achieved.
A report on the review will be presented to the executive board on July 15 by Cllr Linda Dirir, (pictured) lead member for highways and transportation.
It reveals the council has considered four different delivery options for parking services.
Option One is to continue to provide the service in partnership with the private sector.
The second option would be take the service “in house” and the third to completely put it out to an external provider.
The fourth option was a “shared service” with another local authority – but no other council seems interested.
Seven firms responded to the soft market testing – including current contractor, APCOA.
Based on an average of the submissions made by the seven firms, council chiefs believe savings of about £30,000 could be achieved on the first option.
If the service was totally put out to the private sector, savings of about £20,000 could be achieved. If the service was taken “in house” the cost would be significantly higher, with staff costs alone estimated at £980,000.
The board will be recommended to continue providing parking services in partnership with the private sector, with a new contract to be awarded next April.
There will also be a recommendation for the council to continue to provide free accommodation to the contractor, as at present.