Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Service Manager Community Safety & Enforcement.

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 17 January 2019 and its comments will be reported.

RESOLVED

The Director (DB) presented the report on increasing car park tariffs from April 2019, including the further regulation of car parking at King George V Playing Fields. Members were advised that the report proposed to increase tariffs in Zone 1 and 2 by 10 % and to increase tariffs in Zone 3 by 50p, although there would be no increase for season ticket holders. Car parking at King George V Playing Fields would now be for a maximum of four hours to ensure that the car park was available for recreational users and not used by commuters.

The Leader commented that the Council had not made any general inflationary car park rises for a number of years.

During discussion, Members highlighted the facilities at the King George V Playing Field welcoming the four hour parking limit and acknowledging the need to encourage more sustainable modes of transport across the city.

A Member raised an objection with regards to the increase in the car park charges in Topsham.

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 17 January 2019 and its comments were reported.

RESOLVED that the following be approved:-

(1)        To increase tariffs at Premium, Zone 1 and Zone 2 car parks by a maximum of 10% within the existing linear pricing structure as set out in the table below;

(2)        To increase the tariffs at Zone 3 car parks by 50p as set out in the table below;

To consider the report of the Service Manager Community Safety and Enforcement.

The Service Manager Community Safety & Enforcement presented the report which set out the increase to both car park tariffs and the number of pay and display parking sites from April 2019. There would be a maximum of a 10% tariff increase to premium zone 1 and 2 car parks and a 50p increase to zone 3 car parks. The parking increases would support the Councils’ plan to reduce congestion within the city.

In response to questions from Members, the Service Manager Community Safety & Enforcement informed that:-

·         Bromhams Farm car park was added in the 2018 parking tariffs report, but was currently on hold due to negotiations with Devon Wildlife Trust;

·         The increase to Council car parking charges were intended to help reduce the congestion in Exeter and were part of a recognised strategy to reduce the number of vehicles coming into the city and encourage the use of public transport;

·         The 4% increase in vehicles using car parks referred to in the report, was an annual comparison. The pattern for the final quarters of both 2017 and 2018 indicated a 6% decrease.

·         A line in the budget provided details of income generated from penalty tickets;

·         The footfall in the city was down by 1%, but congestion and financial impacts would be regularly monitored;

·         The fee for Coach Parking at Haven Road would remain at £5 a day. This would encourage the use of coaches, and help reduce the number of cars coming into the city;

·         The free car parking at George V playing field would be monitored by City Council Staff.

Members noted that the rise in car parking fees was a difficult and unpopular action for the Council, but was necessary to help reduce congestion in the city to support environmental issues.

Place Scrutiny Committee supported and recommended approval by Executive of the following:-

(1)        The amendment of the Car Parking Places Order 2014 as set out below:-

a)    To increase tariffs at Premium, Zone 1 and Zone 2 car parks by a maximum of 10% within the existing linear pricing structure as set out in the table below.

b)    To increase the tariffs at Zone 3 car parks by 50p as set out in the table below.