Devon County Council has scooped a top prize at a prestigious awards ceremony for the parking industry.
The council collected the Best Practice Reporting: Customer Service Award at the annual PATROL PARC (Parking Annual Report Awards by Councils) Awards in London
PATROL (Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London) represents over 300 local authorities in England, outside of London, and Wales who undertake civil enforcement.
Launched in 2009, the awards honour councils that have published the best reports on their parking services, with the aim of sharing and promoting best practice in civil enforcement reporting.
The award won by Devon recognises excellence in customer service, where authorities have reported on steps taken to proactively engage with their community. In particular, Devon’s online reporting tools were highlighted for enabling the public to identify concerns around pavement parking and abuse of residents parking permits, and the County Council’s approach to transparency and “open” data was also praised.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, cabinet member for Highway Management, who has also been elected as the new chairman of PATROL, said: “This award is more national recognition for our parking team and is very well deserved.
“It highlights the excellent and consistent service being delivered across Devon. It’s also a great honour to have been elected as Chair of PATROL, having represented Devon on the Executive for 10 years and serving as Vice Chair for the last four years.
“PATROL is working hard doing on the issue of pavement parking, giving evidence to the select committee with the aim of finding a solution that will give councils adequate powers to deal with this.”
Devon County Council also received the best practice reporting in customer service award in 2017, and last year won the award for Best Overall Report at the PATROL PARC Awards.
