Agenda item - Parking Tariffs

To consider the report of the Head of Operational Services and Transport and Director Economy and Development.

(Report circulated)

(Minute 118)

The report of the Head of Operational Services and Transport and the Director Economy and Development was submitted, seeking Members’ agreement to the proposals for a targeted increase in car parking tariffs set out in the report and annex.

The Director Economy and Development introduced the report, informing members that the proposed tariff changes for 2012/13 had been targeted at four specific car parks with high occupancy and that no change was proposed to others.

Councillor Baldwin attended the meeting and spoke on this item in accordance with Standing Order 44. She was concerned at the proposed significant increases in tariff at Topsham Quay and Matthews Hall Car Parks and queried why it was proposed to charge City Centre level tariffs at these two car parks which were on the edge of the City Centre. She suggested that Matthews Hall car park was more comparable with Heavitree and Cowick car parks and Topsham Quay with Exeter Cathedral and Quay car park. Half of Topsham Quay car park was used as a boat laying-up area in the winter and it served as an important car park, particularly for tourists, in the remainder of the year. She felt that this proposal was purely an income-raising measure and ignored the wider impact on retail and tourism. She was concerned that the level of the increase would exacerbate the already difficult parking situation in Topsham and considered it unreasonable, unfair and unjustifiable.

The Chair responded that the proposal would encourage greater turnover in the car parks in order to increase trade. Due to Topsham’s good transport links, it appeared that the car parks were frequently used for longer term parking by commuters and for trips outside of the town. Unlike in many cities, there was no restriction on the length of stay within any car park in the City and there was a shorter charging period (9am – 5pm) in Topsham than in the City Centre. No increase was proposed in the other Topsham car parks, including Holman Way.

Councillor Mrs Henson stated that she did not feel this represented the view of many of the traders in Topsham and expressed concern that the sharp rise would discourage shoppers. Whilst she was not against a rise, she suggested that it should be introduced incrementally over a number of years.

Another Councillor was concerned about the displacement of the longer term car park users to other areas of the town and considered that the increase should be introduced gradually in order to give more opportunity for transitional arrangements to be put in place.

In response to a question regarding the reason for the 4.5% decline in car park projected income, the Portfolio Holder Economy and Development stated that there was no clear correlation with those car parks where prices had increased. The proposal had been made following analysis of occupation levels and on the basis of which car parks could sustain an increase in charges. The Director reported that the four car parks targeted for an increase displayed a high occupancy rate. He reported that the national economic situation was certainly a factor decreasing the number of shopping visits made.

Other Councillors felt that the comparison with Heavitree car park was inappropriate since car parks users visited these areas for practical purposes whereas Topsham had a significant tourism/leisure appeal. Heavitree had a lower occupancy rate and income had declined in the previous year.

Councillor Mrs Henson, seconded by Councillor Fullam, moved that further consideration was given to the proposed increase in tariffs at Topsham Quay and Matthews Hall, including further consultation with local traders. The motion was put to the vote and lost.

The Chair moved a further recommendation to re-designate Topsham Quay and Matthews Hall as short stay car parks and this was approved.

Executive resolved that:-

(1) notice of intention be given to make a Parking Places Amendment Order to revise the City of Exeter (Civil Enforcement Off Street Parking Places) Order 2008 to enable the changes proposed in this report and Annex A to come into effect on 30 January 2012;

(2) Matthews Hall, Topsham and Topsham Quay be redesignated as Short Stay Pay and Display Car Parks;

(3) authority to consider any objections be delegated to the Director Economy and Development in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development and Transport; and

(4) subject to consideration of any objections, the order be made and sealed.