Agenda item - Parking Places Order

To consider the report of the Strategic Director for Corporate Resources.

Agreed:

RESOLVED to:

1. amend the Car Park Places Order 2014 as follows:

a) Increase car parking charges at all car parks as detailed in 8.2 of the report;

b) To pass the transaction charge for using the Ringgo App to the user:

c) To move the following car parks from Zone 1 to Central Zone

a. Howell Road;

b. Triangle;

d) £75,000 of the income achieved from Car Parks to be set aside for maintenance, improvements and carbon reduction measures to city centre car parks.

2. delegate authority to consider the responses to the consultation and determine whether to implement the Order (or parts thereof) to the Head of Service Commercial Assets in consultation with the Strategic Director Corporate Resources and Leader of the Council.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report and amended at the meeting.

The Executive received the report which sought to make amendments under the Parking Places Order to improve the regulation of Council car parks and to support the aims of reducing traffic congestion.

Reference was made to:

· the proposal being to begin consultation on the amendments to the Parking Places Order which would take place in line with statutory requirements which maybe short than, but would comply with the Consultation Charter;

· £75,000 income was being requested but this was a Council function; and

· Should the proposal be agreed this would incorporated into the budget monitoring.

During discussion, Executive Members raised the following points and questions:

· Would this come back to the Executive for approval;

· Last year a decision had been made having listened to the public;

· What type of carbon reduction measure were there surrounding car parking;

· A typographical error in the recommendation was pointed out; and

· Would there be tracking to determine whether there had been higher footfall within the city centre as a result.

In response to questions raised the Strategic Director for Corporate Resources advised that:

· The proposal was seeking delegated authority so there would be no need to come before the Executive again, if approved;

· Detailed carbon reduction measures would be provided;

· The typographical error would be corrected;

· The new Head of Service had ideas and was actively exploring ways to reduce ASB;

· If the proposals were adopted following consultation then a recommendation would be made to Council; and

· It was early days since the introduction of the reduced Sunday charge but tracking was undertaken and would be monitored.

Opposition group leaders made and raised the following questions and points:

· Was the policy to pursue car parking charges maximising income;

· How would this proposal reduce emissions in the city;

· If charges increased further, would people shop from home more or go where there is no charge;

· It was good that the cost of Ringgo would be passed to users;

· Car parks were the largest income stream, was this as large as council tax; and

· They would not wish to deter footfall into the city.

In response to the opposition leaders comments the Leader reminded Members that a year ago charges had not been increased regardless of this being a substantial revenue stream and that he would talk to Directors about the policy.

The Strategic Director for Corporate Resources stated that there was a responsibility to keep traffic moving in the city and that increasing charges may act as a deterrent meaning some people may consider alternative forms of transport. Car Parking charges were the single largest income stream and there was a balance to be struck in support everyone, including the local economy.

The Leader moved the recommendations as amended, which were seconded by Councillor Wright, voted upon, and CARRIED unanimously.