Issue - meetings

BCP Council conducted a Department for Transport (DfT)authorised trial in August 2025 to test whether increasing Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) levels and associated charges to London?equivalent rates would improve compliance and reduce illegal parking in the coastal area from Sandbanks to Hengistbury Head. The trial showed a reversal of the expected rise in contraventions, with overall PCNs decreasing against forecast models, alongside reductions in serious on?street breaches and improvements in bus punctuality. No negative impact on visitor numbers was identified, and parking capacity remained consistently available, suggesting most illegal parking had been by choice rather than necessity. Some behavioural displacement occurred into lower?level car park contraventions, and peak?pressure days still presented challenges. Overall, the trial demonstrated that higher PCN levels can effectively improve compliance, with BCP Council recommending either a national review of PCN rates outside London or a wider, longer?term follow?up trial.

RESOLVED that Cabinet noted the content of the report and its appendix.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations

Reason

This report is for information only and so no recommendations are required.

The Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'G' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that BCP Council had conducted a Department for Transport (DfT) authorised trial in August 2025 to test whether increasing Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) levels and associated charges to London?equivalent rates would improve compliance and reduce illegal parking in the coastal area from Sandbanks to Hengistbury Head.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the trial had shown a reversal of the expected rise in contraventions, with overall PCNs decreasing against forecast models, alongside reductions in serious on?street breaches and improvements in bus punctuality.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that no negative impact on visitor numbers had been identified, and parking capacity remained consistently available, suggesting most illegal parking had been by choice rather than necessity.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that some behavioural displacement occurred into lower?level car park contraventions, and peak?pressure days still presented challenges.

Cabinet was advised that overall, the trial had demonstrated that higher PCN levels can effectively improve compliance, with BCP Council recommending either a national review of PCN rates outside London or a wider, longer?term follow?up trial.

Councillor George Farquhar addressed the Cabinet echoing the praise of officers for their extremely quick work on this. In addition, Councillor Farquhar welcomed the responses from the MPs across the area and highlighted the useful signage.

Cabinet spoke in support of the report highlighting the longstanding problems associated with illegal parking in the coastal areas.

RESOLVED that Cabinet noted the content of the report and its appendix.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations

Reason

This report is for information only and so no recommendations are required.

BCP Council conducted a Department for Transport (DfT)authorised trial in August 2025 to test whether increasing Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) levels and associated charges to London?equivalent rates would improve compliance and reduce illegal parking in the coastal area from Sandbanks to Hengistbury Head. The trial showed a reversal of the expected rise in contraventions, with overall PCNs decreasing against forecast models, alongside reductions in serious on?street breaches and improvements in bus punctuality. No negative impact on visitor numbers was identified, and parking capacity remained consistently available, suggesting most illegal parking had been by choice rather than necessity. Some behavioural displacement occurred into lower?level car park contraventions, and peak?pressure days still presented challenges. Overall, the trial demonstrated that higher PCN levels can effectively improve compliance, with BCP Council recommending either a national review of PCN rates outside London or a wider, longer?term follow?up trial.