Issue - meetings

Report by the Corporate Director, Alistair Cunningham

Councillor Bridget Wayman presented the report which asked Cabinet to consider and agree possible car parking charging options for inclusion in a subsequent public consultation exercise.

In presenting the report, Councillor Wayman highlighted: the history of parking charging in the area; how the revenue generated is used to support subsidies for rural bus routes; the opportunities to pilot technology to support staff and car park users; the plans for consultation, and how some the decision had already been made not to pursue some options such as charging for blue badges and levying charges in the evening.

Issues highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: the concerns expressed by some councillors that the need for charging be balanced against the need to encourage visitors to towns to promote economic regeneration; whether schools would be willing to pay for some static cameras; how best to engage with the various communities and interest groups; and that the Cabinet had not taken a position on preferred options.

Following a short debate, the meeting;

Resolved

(i)        To note the technology and operational improvement proposals outlined in this report.

(ii)       To confirm that all seven proposals for car parking charging options be included in a public consultation exercise.

(iii)      To approve the suggested format for the public consultation exercise as set out in paragraphs 49 to 54.

(iv)     To agree that, subject to any responses received during the public consultation, Option 1 is implemented as soon as possible through a variation notice to the Traffic Regulation Orders and delegates authority to the Associate Director for Highways and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Waste to consider any suggestions from respondents for alternative ways in which the estimated income increase from the option could be met by other means, and, with the advice of legal and parking services, to negotiate and agree any resulting legal agreements.

Reason for Decision:

To seek comments and approval from cabinet to undertake consultation on proposed parking charging options to address the identified financial, technology and operational pressures faced by Parking Services.