Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director Environmental Services

Purpose of report

To inform Members of the changes proposed to the implementation of car park price increases during summer 2023 and provides the rationale for the revised implementation.

The new scheme does not raise prices beyond those approved by Council. It sets out an implementation plan which ensures the Council’s car park charges strike a balance between the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) priorities and being responsive to the current economic climate.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To note the proposed changes below:

·         Increase the 1^st hour from £1.10 to £1.20. This will increase income broadly in line with inflation.

·         Keep the 2^nd and 3^rd hour unchanged as parking usage has demonstrated that use has declined and is not competitive with alternative car parking offers.

·         Increase the daily charge from £5.00 to £5.50 – an increase of 10p per hour - in line with inflation and as long stay car parks are showing increasing demand from increasing numbers of workers returning to office.

·         Increase the ultra short stay from £1.10 to £1.20 for ½ hour. Increase the hour rate from  £1.60 to £1.70 in ultra short stay car parks, where it is evidenced that there is increasing demand.

1.2      To approve the publishing of the revised charges.

Resolved

(1)          That the following proposed car parking changes be noted:

·         Increase the 1^st hour from £1.10 to £1.20. This will increase income broadly in line with inflation.

·         Keep the 2^nd and 3^rd hour unchanged as parking usage has demonstrated that use has declined and is not competitive with alternative car parking offers.

·         Increase the daily charge from £5.00 to £5.50 – an increase of 10p per hour - in line with inflation and as long stay car parks are showing increasing demand from increasing numbers of workers returning to office.

·         Increase the ultra short stay from £1.10 to £1.20 for ½ hour. Increase the hour rate from  £1.60 to £1.70 in ultra short stay car parks, where it is evidenced that there is increasing demand.

(2)          That the publishing of the revised charges be approved.

The Assistant Director Environmental Services submitted a report to inform Executive of the changes proposed to the implementation of car park price increases during summer 2023 and provided the rationale for the revised implementation.

The new scheme did not raise prices beyond those approved by Council. It set out an implementation plan which ensured the Council’s car park charges strike a balance between the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) priorities and being responsive to the current economic climate.

Resolved

(1)           That the following proposed car parking changes be noted:

·       Increase the 1^st hour from £1.10 to £1.20. This will increase income broadly in line with inflation.

·       Keep the 2^nd and 3^rd hour unchanged as parking usage has demonstrated that use has declined and is not competitive with alternative car parking offers.

·       Increase the daily charge from £5.00 to £5.50 – an increase of 10p per hour - in line with inflation and as long stay car parks are showing increasing demand from increasing numbers of workers returning to office.

·       Increase the ultra short stay from £1.10 to £1.20 for ½ hour. Increase the hour rate from  £1.60 to £1.70 in ultra short stay car parks, where it is evidenced that there is increasing demand.

(2)           That the publishing of the revised charges be approved.

Reasons

The proposed changes protect against inflation pressures of car parking operational costs and income, and to reflect market forces and changes in use.

Alternative Options

Option 1: To raise charges in line with the MTFP. This is not recommended as it is anticipated to have an adverse impact on use and therefore income due to competing offers from other car park providers in Banbury and Bicester, and to a lesser extent from competing towns outside of Cherwell.