GBC to Manage Off-street Car Parking Enforcement for Waverley

Published on: 16 Oct, 2024
Updated on: 16 Oct, 2024

In another example of the collaboration between Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils GBC is to manage and provide parking enforcement services to Waverley. The two councils already share a Joint Leadership Team.

A review of the two-council collaboration has been conducted. The results are expected to be published in a few weeks.

A GBC spokesperon said: “From this month, the shared parking enforcement team will deliver more sustainable and resilient public services with: savings for Waverley Borough Council and income and savings for Guildford Borough Council to cover the cost of the service. The contract could form the blueprint for future collaborative working arrangements.”

Cllr Catherine Houston

Guildford Borough Council lead councillor for Commercial Services, Catherine Houston (Lib Dem, Shalford) said: “This is the first time that the two councils are collaborating on frontline service provision.

“The contract is cost-effective. It represents best value for money for residents and will help protect priority services in the face of local government funding challenges.”

Waverley Borough Council portfolio holder for Enforcement and Regulatory Services, Cllr Tony Fairclough (Farnham Residents, Farnham Heath End), said: “By sharing parking enforcement services, we are enhancing the efficiency and resilience of our public services in a more cost-effective manner for Waverley residents.

Cllr Tony Fairclough

“This partnership is a testament to our commitment to delivering value for money to our residents while safeguarding essential services amidst severe financial challenges.”

But Conservative opposition leader at WBC, Jane Austin (Bramley & Wonersh) sounded a cautionary note. Although she considered the contract a sensible example of joint working she added: “…but it certainly does not mean the ‘collaboration’ is delivering savings or indeed delivering high quality service for our residents.

Cllr Jane Austin

“Agency staff fees are up by £millions each year since the start of this merger and the councils have had to re-recruit their entire senior management team, so let’s not assume this small saving will paper over the huge cracks caused by this ongoing merger of the two councils.”