Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Public Realm.

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 8 September 2016 and its comments will be reported.

The report of the Assistant Director Public Realm was submitted updating Members on car park tariff, designation and permit changes to be introduced with effect from January 2017.

Members were advised of the background which included a new strategic approach to off-street parking which was adopted in March 2016, following a detailed parking review by consultants, and a number of Spotlight Reviews during 2014/15.  The approach was to deliver the optimum impact on each of the four City Council’s strategic objectives outlined in the ‘New Strategy for Parking 2016 – 2026’ including economic growth; maximising capacity, reducing congestion and maintaining income. The proposed tariff structure should provide a more gradual and even rise in price with a clearer ‘per hour’ rationale. Proposed changes to the evening parking offer and the extension of the day time linear tariff into the evening would provide more clarity, and additional staff would be needed to support an extension of the opening hours of the Guildhall and John Lewis car parks. Any evidence of a significant adverse change in car parking habits and footfall in the city centre would be monitored.

Members discussed the designation of the car parks, signage and the need for a co-ordinated approach across all platforms including the web site to direct people to the car parks across the city.

The Portfolio Holder for Economy and Culture stated that further work would be undertaken on signage and usage of the car parks in the city.

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 8 September 2016 and its comments were reported.

RESOLVED that the following be approved:-

(1)     the adoption of a linear approach to parking tariffs in order to simplify the pricing structure and encourage increased visitor dwell time, as set out in table below:-

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Public Realm.

The Assistant Director Public Realm presented a report on parking tariffs, designations and permit changes to be introduced in January 2017. She provided the background which included a new strategic approach to off-street parking which was adopted in March 2016, following a detailed parking review by consultants, and a number of Spotlight Reviews during 2014/15.  The report outlined the approach  to deliver the optimum impact  on  each of the four City Council’s strategic objectives outlined in the ‘New Strategy for Parking 2016 – 2026’ including economic growth; maximising capacity, reducing congestion and maintaining income.  It was noted that the City Council had not made wholescale changes to parking tariffs since January 2012. The Parking Strategy had highlighted that the current tariff structure encouraged high turnover in Premium and short stay car parks.  However, stays beyond three hours were discouraged by the sharp increase in price. 

The report set out a proposed tariff structure, which should provide a more gradual rise in price with a clearer ‘per hour’ rationale. A table setting out the projected impact of the linear tariff was attached to the report.  Members had previously expressed a wish to ensure that tariffs would be at a level, so as not to encourage car use over other more forms of sustainable transport.  It was considered that the linear approach should help to achieve this.  Any evidence of a significant adverse change in car parking habits and footfall in the city centre would be monitored. It was hoped that a culture change by making all Premiercar parks equally attractive would deter unnecessary movements cross city, thus reducing levels of congestion.

As well as the revised parking tariffs, the report set out the review of season tickets and permits, car parking designation and zonal strategy in relation to gateway routes and key attractions.  Proposed changes to the evening parking offer and the extension of the day time linear tariff into the evening would provide more clarity, and additional staff would be needed to support an extension of the opening hours of the Guildhall and John Lewis car parks.  A separate business case was due to be presented to Executive to address the additional staffing implications.

A Member commented on the difference between the residents’ annual season ticket against the quarterly commuter season tickets, as he was aware that some residents were using that option where parking was not included and he hoped that some parity could be considered.  The Assistant Director Public Realm noted the Member’s comment on the purchase of commuter season tickets by residents and reassured the Member that she would see if this anomaly could be overcome before the Parking Places Order was confirmed. A Member also suggested that the level of charge for the commuter season ticket was justified and comparable to the public sector season ticket used by commuters travelling in from more rural areas outside of Exeter.

Councillor Denham, as Portfolio Holder Economy and Culture, referred to the work with Exeter City Futures to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27