Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Community Services

Summary

To seek approval for a Christmas and New Year Parking promotion.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)               To consider the options and approve a Christmas and New Year Parking promotion in Council operated car parks.

(1)               To note that the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed to waive call-in as any delay to implement the decision would seriously prejudice the public interest.

Resolved

(1)               That a six week promotion offering free parking to all customers on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 1 December 2012 to 7 January 2013 in Council operated car parks be approved.

(2)               That it be noted that the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed to waive call-in as any delay to implement the decision would seriously prejudice the public interest.

The Head of Community Services submitted a report which sought approval for a Christmas and New Year Parking promotion.

In introducing the report, the Deputy Leader of the Council advised Executive that the proposal to offer free parking to all customers on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 1 December 2012 to 7 January 2013 in Council operated car parks was intended to support local business, attract more visitors into Banbury and Bicester and to reduce costs of parking to visitors. There would be notices advising of the promotion and during free periods the car park ticket machines would not accept money. All other restrictions would however apply at all times e.g. maximum length of stay in a particular car park.

Executive members welcomed the proposals commenting that they demonstrated that the Council supported residents and businesses. Members stressed the need for clear notices to ensure that car park patrons were aware of the arrangements and restrictions.  

Councillor Emptage, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, addressed Executive and expressed support for the promotion which would provide a boost to the local economy.

Councillor Cartledge, Leader of the Labour, also supported the promotion but raised concerns about possible congestion around the car parks during the free parking dates.

Executive was advised that the Christmas and New Year parking proposals needed to be formally advertised as they would be a variation from the legal Parking Orders. Specified procedures were required to vary the charges which were required in order that the Council could correctly enforce arrangements. In order to ensure that the promotion could commence on 1 December, Executive noted that the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had agreed to waive call-in as any delay to implement the decision would seriously prejudice the public interest.

Resolved

(1)               That a six week promotion offering free parking to all customers on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 1 December 2012 to 7 January 2013 in Council operated car parks be approved.

(2)               That it be noted that the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed to waive call-in as any delay to implement the decision would seriously prejudice the public interest.

Reasons

As a way to support local business, attract more visitors to Banbury and Bicester and to reduce costs of parking to visitors, a Christmas and New Year parking promotion has been proposed.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed to waive call-in as any delay to implement the decision would seriously prejudice the public interest.

Options

Option One:               Change to tariffs

Option Two:               A specified initial free parking period

Option Three:             Alternative days/weeks on which to run the promotion.