AT YOUR SERVICE THE BPA COUNCIL
Mandy Ainsworth has proved a force for change, particularly in the relationship between bailiffs and their clients. Here, she talks about her first few years on the Council
Mandy’s MANY HATS
almost a year. Having already been the vice- chair to the Bailiff and Enforcement Special Interest Group (BESIG) for 18 months at the time, I could see the difference that such roles could make and how my contributions could support the excellent work of the BPA in improving legislation and making the parking world a fairer place for motorists.
I Keeping busy
My day job as parking services manager for both Worthing Borough and Adur District Councils keeps me busy enough but I wanted to join the Council to make a difference and feel a greater sense of achievement. The first change I made in my new role was to suggest that a member from the public sector and a member from the private sector dealt with general public enquiries through the BPA website. Knowing that the parking sector is the main visitor to the site, it was anticipated that few members of the public would channel enquiries through this. I took on the role as the contact person for the public sector and have dealt with about half-a-dozen enquiries from the public regarding legislation. Although I must remain neutral when discussing penalty charge notices and grounds of appeal, it is a rewarding role as it tests my legislative knowledge and helps members of the public feel that they have someone independent to talk to.
A greater challenge that I took on while wearing both my BPA director and BESIG hats was to co-write a Parking Practice Note on the procurement and monitoring of bailiffs for local
36 JUNE 2012
felt both honoured and privileged when I was elected as a council member and I have now been a director of the BPA for
authorities. I have always been a great believer in trying to strengthen the relationships between local authorities and their bailiffs and this was an ideal opportunity to try and bridge the gap. The PPN should be available soon. The aim is to give local authorities a guide on what to consider when writing any bailiff specification, and how to monitor and work with their bailiffs to ensure optimum recovery rates and fair enforcement to the debtor.
Parking in action
Because I am based close to the BPA’s Haywards Heath offices, I have been able to offer the BPA staff a chance to shadow our enforcement and appeals teams so that they can see the civil parking enforcement process in action. Director of membership services Jane Hack has already spent a day with us and more visitors from HQ are expected soon. So what is next? Clearly I am supporting
the BPA through the concluding stages of the Protection of Freedoms Bill; I shall be promoting the new PPN; I want to remain accessible to members of the parking sector; and help improve public understanding of the roles within the parking sector.
I wanted to join the BPA Council to
make a difference and feel a greater sense of achievement
I think the public understand the need for enforcement but don’t always understand the legislation supporting it, or the way that things are done to ensure continuity, openness and fairness. While the Freedoms Bill addresses many of these elements, an independent appeals service for the private sector will go even further towards achieving fairness. It is important we get this passed in the legislation. In the future I will be continuing to support such a move and exploring ways of making a difference in the sector.
www.britishparking.co.uk
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