DOWN Council has rejected a request from a government department to discuss concerns about parking enforcement in Downpatrick behind-closed-doors.
Officials from the Department of Regional Development’s enforcement division met with local politicians shortly before Christmas and had wanted the meeting in private.
But the request was rejected by Councillor Colin McGrath, the chairman of the council’s Corporate Services Committee.
He explained DRD officials wanted to make a presentation without reporters being present “as some of the matters might deal with enforcement matters which are currently in dispute.”
But Councillor McGrath explained he did not want the talks with government officials to be so specific, making it clear he was a supporter of “open and transparent local government.”
He continued: “As such, I did not not want this matter to be dealt with in private as the role of parking attendants in Downpatrick has become a major issue.
“I have been flooded with complaints about the attitude of some of the attendants and wanted the officials to detail the principles behind parking enforcement and to ensure that NSL — the company carrying out this work on behalf of the DRD — is doing so in the spirit intended.”
Councillor McGrath said concern about the role of the parking attendants in the town was the single biggest issue he has received complaints about over recent months.
“People are irate, upset and angry at the way they are being treated and many have the impression that there are no guidelines for the parking attendants.
“It is important there is clarity around this issue. A Blood Transfusion vehicle was ticketed, as were the cars of firefighters out answering an emergency call and bus drivers parked outside Down High School where warned they were causing an obstruction,” he continued.
He said there “appeared to be a lack of common sense being displayed” when it came to enforcement issues in Downpatrick.
“The DRD talks about providing a quality service but that can be difficult to deliver when large numbers of staff who have a range of capabilities, understanding and approaches,” he suggested.
“There could be issues with some of the staff in Downpatrick in their approach to people and the way they implement enforcement guidelines.”
Councillor McGrath added: “Perhaps an audit of the service being provided by the attendants is necessary to help them deliver a coherent approach to enforcement.”
Rowallane councillor Robert Burgess asked DRD officials to address concerns about vehicles parking in the James Street area in Crossgar. He said a number of people had contacted him about drivers parking on double yellow lines in the area.