S P O T L GI H T ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL


High standards not set standards


Keeping the streets moving is one outcome of effective bailiff activity


high standards. He sounds a note of caution when considering what the future holds for collection and enforcement within the parking sector, unless the right practices are followed. ‘Te Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is about to publish a consultation paper, which will make recommendations about standardisation of bailiff fees for introduction in April 2012. Tis, however, is still a long way off and, meanwhile, the restrictions on consumer credit and the prevailing economic environment are likely to result in a greater burden than ever on both local authorities and the private sector to collect outstanding debt.’


THE AUSTERITY OF THE NEXT FEW YEARS IS UNLIKELY TO DO ANYTHING POSITIVE FOR THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEBTORS AND BAILIFFS. HOWEVER, ONE BAILIFF TELLS PARKING NEWS THAT HIGHER INDUSTRY STANDARDS MAY HELP


‘G


oogle “parking fines” and you’re likely to get a long list of websites with helpful advice for miscreants, almost entirely devoted to defending their rights or pointing out


loopholes to exploit’, says Colin Naylor, the chairman of the Association of Collection and Enforcement Agencies (ACEA). ‘By contrast there is very little about the social


necessity of parking management and the absolute need for parking control to protect residential areas, support traffic flow and pedestrian access.’ Naylor, the managing director of Dukes Bailiffs,


is a passionate believer in proper regulation of the industry and the use of full-time bailiffs working to


40 AUGUST 2010 Colin Naylor


Importance of high standards When bailiffs are appointed, whoever employs them, they are acting as agents for the owner ofthe debt. Matters of ethics, standards, public relations and accountability are vital in the recovery of the debt, according to Naylor, and the debt is much more likely to be recovered if the right procedures are both known and followed by full-time, certificated bailiffs. Current practice, he suggests, may be in danger of


leading to a drop – not just in revenue collection but also in standards and ethics. While bailiffs are never likely to be the most popular figures, he says, they are carrying out a statutory duty on behalf of local authorities and have a professional obligation to the private sector, in situations that can be emotional and even confrontational. Te collection of the debt should be the priority for any bailiff, not just the fees or commission, which may be the objective of a self- employed agent. ‘When we approach a debtor, by letter, phone


or in person, we have four aims’, says Naylor – ‘to recover the debt, but also to represent the interests of honest council and business rate tax payers; to optimise management time if a local authority is involved; and to minimise any negative PR.’ Naylor is concerned that reputable companies


are often caught in the crossfire between hostile media and target-driven local government officers. He welcomes the MoJ review but suggests that the practice of bailiff’s fees being prescribed by the local authority is fundamentally flawed.


www.britishparking.co.uk


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  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56