Reading and Oxfordshire launch joint parking enforcement procurement

Neighbouring local authorities unite in search for new contractors

Two neighbouring local authorities are working together to appoint a new parking enforcement contractor. Reading Council has joined forces with Oxfordshire County Council to launch a joint procurement exercise.

It is proposed that the procurement exercise will commence in October 2025 and continue during 2026 with commencement of new contracts expected in April or October 2027.

Both Reading Borough Council and Oxfordshire County Council have been using Trellint to provide parking enforcement services provider under separate contracts.

It is anticipated Oxfordshire will undertake the legal and procurement process with Reading contributing to costs. A budget sum of £30,000 has been allocated for legal and procurement fees.

Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire County Council has been responsible for civil parking enforcement in Oxford City since 1997. During 2021 it assumed responsibility for enforcement in Cherwell, Vale of White Horse, and South Oxfordshire District Councils, and then West Oxfordshire in 2023. These contracts were awarded to Conduent who were sold on 1 April 2024 to Modaxo who are now trading as Trellint.

In April 2022 the council successfully applied to the Secretary of State for the powers to enforce moving traffic contraventions such as prohibited vehicles, banned turns and School Streets. As a result, the council has five civil enforcement contracts which subject to completion of extension negotiations, will all expire in April 2026.

The council also operates a road user charging scheme, the Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) under Transport Act 2000. The scheme started as a pilot in February 2022. The original contract awarded to Conduent Public Sector UK was in place for the initial pilot stage. A new contract is also required for continued enforcement of the Zero Emission Zone.

Following cabinet approval in February 2025 to procure enhanced multi-contactor contracts for the civil enforcement and ZEZ operation, consultant Parking Matters was appointed alongside legal specialist Ashford’s to work with officers to develop new specifications, pricing schedules and contract terms. After market engagement and discussion with other local authorities, the requirements were packaged to provide the most appropriate routes to market.

Reading

In September, Reading Borough Council discussed commencing a procurement exercise – independently or in partnership with other councils – for parking enforcement, permits, penalty charge notice processing and postal services. Reading’s contract with Trellint commenced October 2023, and the initial term expires in October 2027. It has a total value of £2m.

The council has an option under the existing contract to extend it. However, Trellint has indicated that it is exiting the parking enforcement market and would not be content for the contract to be extended beyond October 2027. Oxfordshire's contract expires in April 2027 at the latest. 

A report to Reading’s policy committee by Phil Grant, parking services manager, suggested that the similar expiry periods and an opportunity for both councils to benefit from economies of scale through procuring collaboratively. 

The intention would be for each council to have its own contract, but with the procurement dealt with jointly.

Grant wrote: “Trellint intends to honour the remainder of the parking enforcement contract but wishes, subject to the agreement of the council, to subcontract the remainder of the contract term to another experienced company. It has also indicated that it may consent to a mutually agreed early termination should that assist the council in achieving a smooth transition of service provider. Any subcontractor would have appropriate due diligence and scrutiny undertake with it before being authorised to undertake the activity at no additional cost.”

Reading’s contract extends beyond Oxfordshire by six months and this will be a material consideration in relation to possible early termination of Reading Borough Council’s contract with Trellint.

Reading’s council’s contract for penalty charge notice (PCN) processing, permit management and postal services also expires October 2027. These services are currently provided by a different supplier so there is a plan to procure a new contract for these services at the same time. 

“Aggregation of contracts in this manner may lead to improved pricing and positive impact on each council’s finances,” wrote Grant. However, steps will be taken to ensure that doing so would not hamper small/medium enterprises from bidding as required under the National Procurement Policy Statement (e.g. permitting consortium bids). In a marketplace that has few suppliers, procuring at the same time as with a neighbouring authority can lead to lost opportunities and unbalanced competitive tension in the market; whilst procuring together simplifies the opportunity for bidders and puts the combined authorities in a stronger position to require competitive bids.

“By joining with Oxfordshire County Council, the procurement value will be much higher and therefore attract wider interest for both service areas. A joint procurement will also reduce costs and demand on resources for both authorities.”

Trellint's focus will be on software

Trellint supplied a statement regarding its decision to focus on software services rather than the supply of front line staff.

“Modaxo Traffic Management UK Limited, trading as Trellint, has made the strategic decision to transition away from 'feet on the street' operational enforcement services. This area, which was a legacy focus under previous ownership, no longer aligns with Trellint’s renewed commitment to delivering software and technical solutions for the Local Authority parking sector. Accordingly, Trellint will not pursue the future operational service contracts with Oxfordshire County Council and Reading Borough Council once the current agreements conclude. Trellint remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards of service until contract completion, while continuing to invest in and develop innovative software solutions as a trusted partner to local authorities.”