Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director – Operations is circulated

Public Participation

Mr Ian Newman, Chairman of Salisbury City Centre Management Committee addressed Cabinet on this matter highlighting the difficulties being faced by retailers in the current economic climate. He also sought this Council’s assistance and co-operation in promoting Salisbury particularly its retail and tourism sectors.

The Leader agreed that both Councils should pool together available resources to promote the City and the many things it had to offer.

Cllr Dick Tonge, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport presented a report which asked Cabinet to consider its formal response to nine proposals submitted by the Salisbury City Centre Management, the Federation of Small Businesses and Salisbury and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Cllr Tonge explained that this Council had received 3 letters from the aforementioned organisations, dated 24 May, 11 July and 26 September 2011, details of which were presented. Cllr Tonge guided members through the second set of proposals dated 11 July with the exception of on and off-street car parking prices which would be considered as part of a full review by Council on 8 November 2011. He also guided members through the subsequent proposals dated 26 September and explained how these compared with the earlier July proposals. Cllr Tonge responded to questions and sought Cabinet’s approval of formal responses to these proposals as detailed in the resolutions below.

Resolved:

That Cabinet agree responses to the proposals from Salisbury City Centre Management (SCCM), the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Salisbury and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chamber) as follows: -

In response to Proposals dated 11 July 2011

Proposal 1b – Brown Street Car Park

To retain current hours at Brown Street Car Park unchanged.

Proposal 4 – Changes to Park and Ride

That no changes are made to Park and Ride opening times unless SCCM, the FSB and the Chamber can provide evidence that the additional usage would cover the additional costs or alternatively this could be funded locally, that no changes are made to charges and that no concessions are made for a trial period due to the conditions of the Transport Act.

Proposal 5 – Christmas and New Year Parking

That officers enter into a discussion with SCCM, the FSB, the Chamber and SCC on Christmas and New Year concessions provided that any concessions are cost neutral.

Proposal 6 – Pay on Exit

That pay on exit is not implemented due to the cost implications but that the option is evaluated as part of the Salisbury Vision developments and that MiPermit mobile permit system is marketed.

Proposal 7a – Future Parking Charges and Arrangements

That Wiltshire Council meet with SCCM, the FSB, the Chamber SCC to discuss any future changes to car parking charges or arrangements; at an early stage i.e. before any changes are made.

Proposal 7b – Car Parking Prices in Relation to Bournemouth and Southampton

That there should be no presumption that the cost of parking in Salisbury should be less than Bournemouth and Southampton.

Proposal 8 – Promotion of Salisbury

That interested parties to discuss promotion of Salisbury with the Area Board and Visit Wiltshire.

Proposal 9 – Wiltshire Council Staff Parking

That the current arrangements for staff parking in Salt Lane continues as at present and that parking staff would monitor usage every six months to ensure that there is sufficient space for members of the public.

In response to Proposals dated 26 September 2011

Proposal 1 – Wiltshire Car Parking Strategy – amendment to Policy PS3

That no change be made to Policy PS3.

Proposal 2 – Parking Charges Monday to Saturday (off-street)

Noted that this was an amalgamation of Proposals 1 and 2 in the proposals dated 11 July 2011, this would be considered by Council on 8 November 2011.

Proposal 3 – Parking Charges on Sundays and Bank Holidays (off-street)

This would be considered by Council on 8 November 2011.

Proposal 4 – Park and Ride

As per the decision above on Proposal 4 dated 11 July 2011.

Proposal 5 – Christmas and New Year Parking

As per the decision above on Proposal 5 dated 11 July 2011.

Proposal 6 – Pay on Exit

As per the decision above on Proposal 6 dated 11 July 2011.

Proposal 7 – Future Parking Charges and Arrangements

As per the decision above on Proposal 7 dated 11 July 2011.

Proposal 8 – Promotion of Salisbury

As per the decision above on Proposal 8 dated 11 July 2011.

Proposal 9 – Wiltshire Council Staff Parking

As per the decision above on Proposal 9 dated 11 July 2011.

Reason for Decisions

To respond formally to proposals presented to the Council by Salisbury City Centre Management, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Salisbury and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the exception of on and off-street car parking prices which would be part of the full review by Council on 8 November 2011.