Fears parking tickets could surge as private wardens take charge
The Post & Times revealed last month Staffordshire Moorlands District Council was looking into outsourcing its on and off-street parking.
The move will now go ahead subject to legal advice.
The company which secures the contract will also have responsibility for clamping, enforcing traffic laws, reporting problems with on-street signs and lines, collecting cash from pay-and-display machines and other car park management functions.
But concerns have been raised the move will drive shoppers away from Leek and Cheadle.
Councillor Steve Povey, who sits on the county, district and town councils, described the decision as "ludicrous".
He said: "Private firms are more determined to give out tickets.
"If this happens it would damage trade as we could get a reputation for fining people.
"This is a step backwards and it worries me we will be persecuting people. I can see an avalanche of complaints coming in."
A total of 1,912 tickets were issued from October to December last year, up on the 1,457 tickets issued in the first quarter of the year and the 1,339 handed out in the second.
Tradesman Dave Mollart was furious in December when he had a parking ticket slapped on his van as he unloaded tools.
He said: "This decision will only encourage tradesmen to put up prices as the situation will get worse.
"It is already a nightmare, but private companies could issue even more tickets.
"The council has got to be sensible and have some leeway about the parking issue or it will ruin Leek."
Councillor Stephen Ellis, portfolio holder for planning and development, admitted the number of parking tickets was likely to rise following the introduction of private traffic wardens.
However, he said any surplus income generated would be used to improve the district's highways and parking.
He added the final decision would be based on getting the best possible value for money for the taxpayer.
Mr Ellis said: "There will be no targets for the contractor, but we will have more people on the streets. Tickets will only be issued where an offence has been committed.
"The council will also have control and the company will be monitored. This is a win-win solution."
The switch will give the council operation more stability after it struggled to maintain its six-strong team of wardens.
He said: "When someone has been on holiday or sick we have had no replacement.
"We have also had issues recruiting and retaining wardens.
"A private company has a pool of wardens and we will always have six on duty."
The scheme is expected to start in either June or July and could run for five years with a possible two-year extension.
Employees of the existing enforcement service will be transferred to the private contractor with their pay, pension entitlements and conditions of service protected.
The district council assumed responsibility for both on and off-street parking enforcement from Staffordshire Police in October 2007, as part of the Staffordshire-wide Clear Streets initiative.
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