Bexley operates a shared parking service with the London Borough of Bromley. The Shared Parking Service (SPS) team is made up of officers employed by either Bromley or Bexley, operating out of Bromley Civic Centre. The SPS team plays a crucial role in monitoring Bexley’s parking assets and ensuring compliance with traffic and parking regulations through firm but fair civil enforcement practices.

A large part of the work involves specially trained officers investigating challenges submitted by motorists against civil traffic and parking penalty charges. The SPS team is committed to continuous improvement, aligning its service with best practices and evolving regulations.

The Team is broadly separated into the following service areas and a Line Manager is responsible for each listed aspect of the service:

• Communication, Notice Processing, Publicity, Complaints, Enquiries, Freedom of Information, Website Management, Public Relations
• Car Parks Monitoring & Asset Management
• Enforcement, Operations & CCTV Monitoring & Management

The SPS is a member of key industry bodies, including the British Parking Association (BPA) and London Councils Parking and Traffic Regulations Committee

• Latest industry regulations, trends, and policy changes
• Engagement opportunities with government officials and stakeholders
• Benchmarking and performance improvement initiatives
• Forums that influence national parking policy
• Regular BPA communications on industry updates

Learning and development opportunities in parking services

The SPS team is responsible for:

• Processing challenges made by motorists against the issue of civil traffic and parking penalty charges in accordance with statutory regulations, industry best practices and in line with Council policies
• Managing the parking permit solution arranging parking suspensions on behalf
  of residents and others
• Co-ordinating with the service supplier effective level of maintenance of parking assets, including pay and display machines both in Council operated public car parks and on the road.
• Monitoring compliance levels at moving traffic locations, such as yellow box
  junctions and zig – zag markings outside of schools
• Operating all public car parks operated by the Council
• Overseeing external contractors responsible for tasks such as remarking lines and pothole repairs in public car parks. The learning and development opportunities available within the team include:

Technical and legislative training

• Notice Processing course provided by Alpha, specialists in traffic and parking training

Contractor management training

• On-the-job training in managing contractors for parking infrastructure work
• Training on procurement procedures and monitoring contractor performance

Induction and onboarding for new starters

• Structured training including shadowing the Notice Processing Supervisor
• One-to-one sessions with line managers for feedback and guidance
• Hands-on learning and opportunities to ask questions
• Discussion of parking industry standards

Networking and professional development

• Attendance at quarterly London Parking Network Managers meetings
• Opportunities to present material at internal team meetings
• Participation in policy updates and industry discussions via managers meetings

Conclusion

The Place Directorate offers a diverse range of roles, each with tailored development opportunities. Employees are encouraged to take advantage of available training, mentorship, and progression pathways to enhance their skills and advance their careers within the directorate. Regular performance reviews and personal development plans ensure that each employee's growth is aligned with both personal goals and organisational vision and values.