Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director Property

Purpose of report

To seek Executive approval to delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Property, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Property and Assets, to approve the temporary closure or operational use of Council parking spaces or car park areas in Banbury and Bicester for civic, commemorative and community events.

The proposal relates to the temporary use of parking areas to facilitate the operation of events and does not constitute the provision of free parking for event attendees.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1         To delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Property, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Property and Assets, to approve the temporary closure or operational use of District Council parking spaces or car park areas in Banbury and Bicester for civic, commemorative and community events where there is a demonstrable public benefit.

1.2         To confirm that commercial or profit-generating events will continue to be subject to the appropriate fees and charges in accordance with the Council’s adopted schedule of fees and charges.

Resolved

(1)            That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director of Property, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Property and Assets, to approve the temporary closure or operational use of District Council parking spaces or car park areas in Banbury and Bicester for civic, commemorative and community events where there is a demonstrable public benefit.

(2)            That it be confirmed that commercial or profit-generating events will continue to be subject to the appropriate fees and charges in accordance with the Council’s adopted schedule of fees and charges.

The Assistant Director Property submitted a report to seek Executive approval to delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Property, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Property and Assets, to approve the temporary closure or operational use of Council parking spaces or car park areas in Banbury and Bicester for civic, commemorative and community events.

The proposal related to the temporary use of parking areas to facilitate the operation of events and does not constitute the provision of free parking for event attendees.

Resolved

(1)          That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director of Property, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Property and Assets, to approve the temporary closure or operational use of District Council parking spaces or car park areas in Banbury and Bicester for civic, commemorative and community events where there is a demonstrable public benefit.

(2)          That it be confirmed that commercial or profit-generating events will continue to be subject to the appropriate fees and charges in accordance with the Council’s adopted schedule of fees and charges.

Reasons

The proposed delegation formalises the Council’s longstanding approach to supporting established civic, commemorative and community events through the temporary operational use or closure of limited parking areas where required to facilitate event delivery. The proposal does not provide free parking for attendees but enables appropriate operational flexibility to support events which provide clear community and town centre benefit.

Granting delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Property, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Property and Assets, provides a proportionate governance framework. It removes the need for repeated Executive reports for recurring events while maintaining appropriate Member oversight and ensuring that commercial events remain subject to the Council’s adopted fees and charges.

Alternative options

Option 1: Require full payment of parking charges for all events

This option was considered but rejected. Military and civic commemorative events are held in recognition of public service and align with the Council’s commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant. Requiring payment in these circumstances would be inconsistent with established practice and could undermine the Council’s visible support for such events.

In the case of town centre civic and community events, the temporary closure of limited parking areas is typically operational in nature and required to facilitate the safe delivery of the event itself. These arrangements support wider town centre vitality, footfall and community engagement.

Option 2: Continue to require separate Executive approval for each event

This option was also rejected as it results in unnecessary administrative delay and repeated reporting for a small number of established, recurring events. Delegated authority provides a proportionate governance approach while retaining appropriate Member oversight.