Car idling action to be debated in Solihull
It's as schools have returned.
Schools are back for the new academic year – and with it the thorny problem of parents waiting outside with their car engines running.
Now Solihull councillors are to discuss how best to deal with the issue after a petition was handed in with a motion demanding action.
The threat of fines through a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) was put forward as one potential solution.
In May Coun Max McLoughlin, who made the PSPO call, told a meeting: “It (education) has not tackled the behaviour.
“Part of the reason I recommended a PSPO is because there is a tension that exists between people driving to pick children up from school and residents.
“When residents knock on the windscreens of cars idling, very often it turns into a confrontation.
“It creates stress for the children, for the parents, for the residents.”
Coun Alan Feeney had added: “PSPOs are great if and when they are enforced.
“While it is wonderful to have it, if it is not actually being fully utilised then it is not worth the signage it goes up on.”
But members of Solihull Council’s stronger communities and neighbourhood services scrutiny board have been told to consider the authority’s financial position when making a decision.
A report said: “If two civil enforcement officers were redeployed from school gate parking on to car idling enforcement duties, the cost to attend each of the 80 schools twice per year, for on average 2.5 hours per day, would be an estimated £22,400 per school year.
“There is a high risk that such expenditure would only generate a minimal amount of income from the fines, because the enforcement officers have to ask the motorist to switch off their engines before any fine can be issued.”
The meeting, which is open to the public, is being held at the Civic Suite on September 10.
The meeting, starting at 6pm, will also be available to watch live on the council’s website solihull.gov.uk.