Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director Environment Services

Purpose of report

The purpose of this report is to update the Executive on the Car Parking Strategy & Action Plan and propose new car parking charges to be implemented by August 2021

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To note the progress on delivery of the car parking strategy & action plan.

1.2         To approve changing Bolton Road car park to a short stay car park once Cherwell Drive long stay car park is completed.

1.3         To approve the change of Chapel Brook car park to a long stay car park.

1.4         To increase car park charges by August 2021 (Appendix 1).

1.5         To note the progress on the move to Civil Parking Enforcement.

Resolved

(1)          That the progress on delivery of the car parking strategy and action plan be noted.

(2)          That changing Bolton Road car park to a short stay car park once Cherwell Drive long stay car park is completed be approved.

(3)          That the change of Chapel Brook car park to a long stay car park be approved.

(4)          That it be approved to increase car park charges by August 2021 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book).

(5)          That the progress on the move to Civil Parking Enforcement be noted.

The Assistant Director Environmental Services submitted a report which updated the Executive on the Car Parking Strategy & Action Plan and proposed new car parking charges to be implemented by August 2021.

At the discretion of the Chairman, Councillor Broad addressed Executive, in relation to motorcycle parking and requested that proper secure parking be provided for motorcycles in the future.

In response to Councillor Broad’s address, the Chairman and Lead Member for Clean and Green confirmed that this was an area that could be looked at going forward.

Resolved

(1)          That the progress on delivery of the car parking strategy and action plan be noted.

(2)          That changing Bolton Road car park to a short stay car park once Cherwell Drive long stay car park is completed be approved.

(3)          That the change of Chapel Brook car park to a long stay car park be approved.

(4)          That it be approved to increase car park charges by August 2021 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book).

(5)          That the progress on the move to Civil Parking Enforcement be noted.

Reasons

The Car Parking Strategy and the associated action plan has been developed with the input of elected members and other key stakeholders. The strategy was approved last autumn and the action plan is regularly reviewed & updated

The number of pay on exit car parks are gradually increasing, Civil Parking Enforcement will be implemented in late 2021 and electric charging facilities are starting to be installed. The charges in car parks have been reviewed and are below comparable nearby towns

The recommended changes in charges brings the charges in line with towns in the neighbouring areas. This change if it had been implemented from April  2021 would have raised £400k during 2021/22. The proposed change during July will generate around £260k in 2021/22 and £400k in 2022/23 subject to car parking numbers recovering after the pandemic. To achieve higher levels of increased income in 2021/22 would require steeper rises in charges which would move parking charges above some neighbouring towns and even some other existing providers in the district.

Alternative options

Option 1: To adopt the recommendations.

Option 2: To reject the recommendations and to ask officers to review matters including the revised parking charging levels