Peterborough City Council is set to strengthen its role in shaping the future of parking services by becoming a member of the National Parking Platform (NPP) Consortium Ltd, if Cabinet approves.
The not-for-profit company, established earlier this year, will take over the running of the National Parking Platform after initial funding from the Department for Transport ended in August 2025. The platform, which Peterborough joined in April 2024 as part of a government-backed pilot, allows motorists to choose from multiple cashless parking providers instead of being restricted to one operator.
Currently, drivers in Peterborough can select from five different apps to pay for parking. The scheme has been hailed as a success, reducing costs for the council and providing more flexibility for residents and visitors. Under the previous single-provider model, the council paid higher transaction fees and covered convenience charges on behalf of motorists. Now, those fees are paid directly by users to their chosen app provider, with the council retaining the parking tariff minus a 2.5% transaction charge.
If approved, the council will pay a nominal £1 to join NPP Consortium Ltd and will not face any membership or director fees. As a member, the authority would gain voting rights on key decisions, such as governance, business plans, and policy changes. The committee has also recommended that the council stand for election to the consortium’s board of directors, giving it a direct role in day-to-day strategic decisions.
Membership would place Peterborough among the growing number of councils and private operators taking part in the scheme. While participation in the platform is possible without becoming a member, only members have influence over its future direction. Votes are weighted to ensure a balance between local authorities, public and private operators, and service providers, preventing any single group from dominating.
Adrian Chapman, Executive Director for Place and Economy, would be given delegated authority to act on behalf of the council in both membership and board matters.
The final decision will now go before Cabinet for approval later this month.
