Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director (DB).

The Executive received the report which sought to increase the car parking tariffs from May 2020 and to make minor amendments to improve the regulation of Council car parks, whilst supporting the Council’s goal of a carbon neutral Exeter by 2030. Members were referred to the report which highlighted the changes to the tariffs, which provided both an important income to the Council and was a means to reduce congestion in the city, without causing a detrimental impact on the city centre.

Particular reference was made to the inclusion of offering resident’s with electric vehicles, free annual car parking permits to support the Council’s carbon neutral goal and that the minimum stay duration had been changed to two hours to encourage users to stay longer. Specific mention was made to the overall increase to tariffs of 10p for all rates, compared to the previous year’s tariffs. Members noted that the recommendations listed in the report were designed to deter the use of cars and encourage the use of public transport.

During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

·         The parking tariff changes would support the Council’s key objectives for lowering the carbon footprint and to continue to encourage residents and visitors to use other means of transport to travel into the city;

·         The removal of the one hour parking fee would support the carbon neutral strategy by lowering the number of drivers who repeatedly parked multiple times throughout the day at the same location;

·         There was a difficult balance between generating income for the Council and lowering the carbon footprint by reducing the number of cars;

·         The number of electric vehicle charging points is being extended and would be free to use for owners of electric vehicles; and

·         Each year, 3,800 tons of carbon was emitted which the Council was working to reduce.

RESOLVED that the following be approved:-

(1)  the Car Parking Places Order 2014 be amended as follows:-

(a)  to make car park residential permits free for electric vehicles;

(b)  to raise the minimum tariff in all car parks from 1 hour to 2 hours;

(c)  to increase tariffs for stays between 2 hours and 7 hours in Premium, Zone 1 and Zone 2 car parks by 10p;

(d)  to increase tariffs for all-day stays in Premium car parks by £3.00;

(e)  to increase tariffs in Zone 3 car parks by 50p (for 2 hour stays), £1.00 (for 3 hour stays), £1.50 ( for 4 hour and all day stays) and by £5.00 for coaches (all day)

(2)  a requirement for all vehicles parking within Exeter City Council car parks to have a valid vehicle tax and MOT certificate; and

(3)  the inclusion of the access road into Haven Road 2 and 3 car parks within the Parking Places Order.