Agenda item

A recap on the changes to the Visitor Parking Permit scheme from Cllr Philip Whitehead. An updated guide is also attached.

Cabinet Member for Highways and Public Transport Councillor Philip Whitehead, gave a recap on the recent changes to the resident parking scheme as discussed at the previous meeting.

The reason behind the changes was to make a saving of £30,000 - £50,000 a year. This was the amount it cost to run a rural bus service, in making savings in other areas, the council was able to refrain from cutting any bus services.

It was recognised that any change could cause concern and upset, especially by those who were not confident with technology. The new residents parking permit scheme was accessible online and by telephone.

90% of calls were answered within 32 seconds. On the first call, the resident registers their details, then on any future calls made from the same telephone number the caller is recognised by the system and the operator. The caller then just has to give the number plate of the vehicle they wish to register as a visitor.

Comments and questions included:

·       A resident of St Anne’s Street explained that she felt the changes to the scheme had been forced on to the residents, adding that new system was not very humane for people who were hard of hearing, poor sighted or confused easily. She asked whether a survey of the type of people living in Salisbury? Answer: The only people we could have consulted lived within the residents parking area, so there would have only been one answer. You cannot carry out a democratic consultation on issues affecting such a small group. The phone number is a local number and not for profit. The old system was a lot more involved than the new one, the process has been streamlined.

·       A resident living in zone D commented that years ago they were consulted on whether they wanted zone parking, but were not consulted this time. He felt that the system was not user friendly like the old scheme which used scratch cards for visitors. As Parking Ambassadors had not yet been issued with devices with number recognition, they had to manually input every number plate to their handsets so see whether it had a permit or not. He felt that not all of them would do that. Residents could no longer tell by looking at a car whether it was entitled to park in an area or not.

·       A resident and member if the St Edmunds Community Association noted that we now lived in the computer age, however many of the city residents were of the previous era and did not have access or confidence with modern technology. If two systems could be run alongside each other to enable the older generation to continue with the paper permits for a while longer, this would be better. Residents had not been consulted on the changes. Answer: Residents do not need a computer or a mobile phone, all they need is a telephone to use the service. Parking Ambassadors did not have an issue with putting in the numbers as it could be done quite quickly. The existing machines would not be replaced until they were at the end of their lives. Two systems could not be run alongside each other as this would cost too much and defeat the object of saving money.

·       Residents with dementia or suffering from confusion could use the old paper permit system easily. Now they had to call My Permit when a visitor arrives, this may present problems for them. Answer: All Ambassadors are given Dementia Friends training.

·       If there was a plan to remove cash ticket machines from car parks in Salisbury could residents be consulted on that in the future? Answer: Two pilot schemes were run in two small car parks (sited near larger cash payable car parks) where the cash option was removed and people had to register their parking by text and online payment. Due to the way in which these text were charged to the user, there was an additional charge above that of the parking fee, so these two pilots were pulled early, before a third pilot in Salt Lane could begin. It was not planned to ever remove all cash machines across Wiltshire.

·       Some residents spoken to had not had an issue with the new system, however they would have liked to have been informed by letter, of the changes. Answer: If a resident knows the registration of the vehicle due to visit, they can book the permit in advance.

·       Were the annual permits for residents who were immobile and had no car to remain paper? Answer: Cllr Whitehead would find out and feedback to the Board.