NCP awarded new parking contract (From The Argus)

NCP awarded new parking contract

12:09pm Friday 29th September 2006

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A firm has won a multimillion-pound contract to enforce on and off-street parking for a second time.

Brighton and Hove City Council's policy and resources committee last night voted to award the contract to NCP again.

The council is said to have negotiated a better deal with the company, which will cost taxpayers less money.

But the conditions of the deal remain the same, which means the council is responsible for setting ticket prices for both on and off-street parking.

There are no targets for NCP to meet in terms of ticket numbers and instead its service is monitored by how often the streets are patrolled by parking attendants.

Councillor Gill Mitchell, lead member for the environment, said parking attendants were "civic ambassadors" and said the new contract offered "significant savings".

Councillors did not name NCP as the preferred bidder but The Argus revealed yesterday the company was favourite.

Tory councillor Ted Kemble said: "We found the preferred bidder very professional in their approach. We also believe this contract provides best value."

Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Elgood said: "I think we missed an opportunity not to bring things back inhouse. I hope in the future we might do that."

NCP made profits of £42 million in 2004 as Brighton and Hove drivers received the second highest number of parking tickets in the country, generating between £5 million and £10 million.

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