Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Public Realm.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy considered the report at its meeting on 8 March 2012 and comments will be reported.

(Report circulated)

(Minute 47)

The report of the Assistant Director Public Realm was submitted, informing Members of the deliberations, conclusions and recommendations of the Car Parks Task and Finish Group.  He reported that Scrutiny Committee – Economy had considered the Group’s report at their meeting of 8 March 2012. Whilst individual elements of the proposals would come forward to Executive in due course and as appropriate, the Committee were impressed by and appreciative of the work of the group and had requested that the report be submitted to Executive in its entirety.

Councillor Margaret Baldwin attended the meeting and spoke on the item under Standing Order 44. Whilst welcoming the report overall, Councillor Baldwin felt that the Group’s recommendation to place Topsham Quay Car Park into Tariff Band 2 (Short Stay Shoppers’ Car Parks) was wrong and hoped that this would be re-considered. She referred to a letter from 50 businesses supporting the need for a welcoming, long-stay car park in Topsham. The difficulty of parking in the town was generally acknowledged and this was exacerbated by the current temporary use of part of the Tappers Close car park by Network Rail and two-thirds of the Quay car park being used for boat storage for a large part of the year.

The Chair responded with reference to the significant support formerly expressed for a higher turnover in the car parks, in order to increase visitors to the town and reminded members that Holman Way provided a long stay facility.

The Portfolio Holder Sustainable Development and Transport added her thanks to the working group for their comprehensive report and assured members that all the recommendations would be considered in due course. She emphasised that the increased charges at the Quay aimed to deter workers from using the spaces to the detriment of visitors. She reported that monthly usage figures for the Topsham car parks were compiled and requested officers to send these to the Topsham ward Councillors on a regular basis.

Executive resolved that:-

(1)     the Car Parks Task and Finish Group be congratulated on their comprehensive review of the issue; and

(2)     the conclusions of the report be noted and that further reports on individual proposals would come forward to Executive in due course.

The report of the Assistant Director Public Realm was submitted, informing Members of the deliberations, conclusions and recommendations of the Car Parks Task and Finish Group.  He reported that Scrutiny Committee – Economy had considered the Group’s report at their meeting of 8 March 2012. Whilst individual elements of the proposals would come forward to Executive in due course and as appropriate, the Committee was impressed by and appreciative of the work of the group and had requested that the report be submitted to Executive in its entirety.

Councillor Margaret Baldwin attended the meeting and spoke on the item under Standing Order 44. Whilst welcoming the report overall, Councillor Baldwin felt that the Group’s recommendation to place Topsham Quay Car Park into Tariff Band 2 (Short Stay Shoppers’ Car Parks) was wrong and hoped that this would be re-considered. She referred to a letter from 50 businesses supporting the need for a welcoming, long-stay car park in Topsham. The difficulty of parking in the town was generally acknowledged and this was exacerbated by the current temporary use of part of the Tappers Close car park by Network Rail and two-thirds of the Quay car park being used for boat storage for a large part of the year.

The Chair responded with reference to the significant support formerly expressed for a higher turnover in the car parks, in order to increase visitors to the town and reminded members that Holman Way provided a long stay facility.

The Portfolio Holder Sustainable Development and Transport added her thanks to the working group for their comprehensive report and assured members that all the recommendations would be considered in due course. She emphasised that the increased charges at Topsham Quay aimed to deter workers from using the spaces to the detriment of visitors. She reported that monthly usage figures for the Topsham car parks were compiled and requested officers to send these to the Topsham ward Councillors on a regular basis.

RESOLVED that:-

(1)     the Car Parks Task and Finish Group be congratulated on their comprehensive review of the issue; and

(2)     the conclusions of the report be noted and that further reports on individual proposals would come forward to Executive in due course.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Public Realm – report circulated

The Assistant Director Public Realm presented a report which informed the Scrutiny Committee - Economy of the deliberations, conclusions and recommendations of the Car Parks Task and Finish Group. The Group had been formally appointed by the Scrutiny Committee and the membership included Councillor Cole as Chair of Scrutiny Committee - Economy, Councillors Crow, Morris and Ruffle, and Councillor Sutton as the relevant Portfolio Holder.  They had considered the significant contribution made by parking income to the overall budget strategy of the City Council, with a broad remit of looking at ways to optimise current income derived from the City Council’s car parks. The Assistant Director thanked Members for their very constructive and positive contribution, particularly as they had taken the opportunity to explore a number of themes, which were normally lost due to the pressures of the day to day delivery of the service.

The Group acknowledged that maximising parking income would be difficult to achieve, particularly in these challenging financial times. However, they focused on a number of priority areas, including the Charging Regime and the policy relating to Blue Badge Holders; Off-Street Parking in Newtown; Parking Permits; the Pay by Phone Parking facility and Car Park Signage and Branding.  The Group felt that in particular, tariffs, whilst very competitive compared with a number of other towns and cities, had become very complicated and inconsistent.  A simplification of the car parking tariff structure would benefit the public and, coupled with the rebranding of a number of the city’s car parks, could have a meaningful impact on future income. The Group also considered an issue regarding an area of off-street parking in Newtown which the Council were not deriving an income from and, whilst mindful of the need for income generation felt that the current arrangements represented the best and most pragmatic solution for residents.

The Task and Finish Group put forward a number of conclusions in respect of each of the identified areas, and these were set out in the report. It was noted that Executive approval would have to be sought to pursue most of the areas explored, through a number of separate reports to Executive over future months. Members wished their appreciation of both the Task and Finish Group Members and also the support of the Assistant Director and his team to be recorded.

The Assistant Director responded to a Member request for more information on the County Council’s dispensation parking scheme.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy supported the conclusions reached by the Car Parks Task and Finish Group and noted that future reports to the Executive would be required to progress the individual findings.

(Report circulated)