This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
FEATURE

Fact file

Streets Ahead – Week of Action

cars, or allows them to park near the shops, or gives residents discounted parking and they begin to see that parking isn’t all bad.’ When Clark joined the parking department six

years ago he found that parking was a ‘real hot potato’ and he and his team had to ‘consistently try to address issues by putting a positive spin on anything that appeared in the press.’ Te importance of presenting an open line of

communication between the parking department and the press is something that Clark has instilled in his team and he is very aware that one ‘silly mistake can ruin a good reputation.’ Parking enforcement in the borough is outsourced

to Mouchel, and Clark is keen to stress that he is very happy with the service provided. But it does worry him that he cannot control this aspect of the interaction with the public.

Putting the residents first

A main priority for the team at Hillingdon is providing a good service for the residents – and, indeed, it was the innovation shown by the borough with its residents’ smart card that won it the Innovation Award. Te Hillingdon First Card is a multi-function card

that, as Clark says, has infinite possibilities. Presently it can be used in the library, gives free access to civic amenities and discounted parking at council-run parking sites. Te council has also brokered a deal with 400 shops

www.britishparking.co.uk

in the borough, which will give discounts and special offers to local residents on production of the card. Te focus on the local community is an ethos

shared across the council. Clark explained: ‘Te residents are at the heart of everything we do; at Christmas we had free all-day parking for residents, and use of landfill sites is free to residents. ‘We also get involved in the Streets Ahead

programme – and our brown badge scheme, which we began a year ago, has proved extremely successful with 4,000 badges allocated. We are currently working with private companies to extend the service to all car parks.

Coping with conflict

While the borough is currently basking in its success, Clark admits there are always conflicts and pressures to be faced and dealt with. ‘Tere are the conflicting demands that become a fine balancing act. For example, residents are keen to park near their homes but that may be in conflict with the needs of local businesses. ‘Te school run is a particularly fraught area.

While everyone understands the safety needs of keeping the streets near the school vehicle traffic-free, parents still want to park as near as possible to pick up their children. ‘Our main job is to keep traffic moving, and I would

like to think we do that through hard work, attention to detail, aiming to get it right first time and learning from mistakes.’

MAY 2010

25

is a programme of more than 300 activities organised by the council and partner organisations focusing on five key themes of community safety, environment, younger people, sport and culture, and older people. One of the

primary vehicles is partnership working between Hillingdon’s Local Strategic Partners (for example Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, Age Concern and Hillingdon Homes), with the aim of increasing resident satisfaction levels in the services delivered.

© GIBSON BLANC DESIGN Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52
Produced with Yudu - www.yudu.com