Issue - meetings

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Planning Services, to consider the findings of the Member Car Parking Working Group into the revised charging arrangements and other operational changes that came into effect on 1^st October 2008 following the review of the Council’s Car Parking Policy.

Approved the recommendations of the Members Car Parking Working Group for further development, with a view to a report being considered at a future meeting as part of a revised Off-Street Parking Places Order 2010 for implementation from 1st June 2010 and invited the Group to consider those issues highlighted, specifically the promotion of environmental objectives as part of their preparations for the scheduled, comprehensive review of car parking in 2010.

Further to Minute No. 07/99 and by way of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the findings of the Members Car Parking Working Group into the revised charging arrangements and other operational changes that came into effect on 1st October 2008 following the review of the Council's Car Parking Policy.

In so doing, attention was drawn to a series of recommendations addressing a number of issues that have arisen as a result of the previously approved action plan.  In considering the Group's conclusions, specifically the need to review the season ticket scheme given the anomalies relating to town boundaries, the Cabinet expressed disappointment that the Group apparently, had not considered environmental issues and the opportunity to promote changes to travel patterns.  However, Executive Councillors acknowledged that the Group’s work constituted an interim review and noted that wider environmental issues such as encouraging the use of low emission vehicles, public transport, cycling and walking would be dealt in the next scheduled review of the car parking action plan.

With regard to the Group’s recommendation to introduce charging at Cambridge Street and the Riverside, St Neots with some free parking for a two hour period at the Riverside to support its recreational use, Executive Councillors expressed concern over the lack of detail for the management of this arrangement at this stage.

In discussing the Overview and Scrutiny (Environmental Well-Being) Panel’s response to the Group’s proposals, the Cabinet has reiterated the need to make representations to Cambridgeshire County Council over the perceived adverse effects on the District Council’s parking income and policies should they proceed with their decision to permit parking at the new Cambridgeshire Guided Bus Scheme “Park and Ride” site free of charge. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the recommendations of the Members Car Parking Working Group set out in Sections 3 and 4 of the report now submitted be approved for further development, with a view to a report being considered at a future meeting as part of a revised Off-Street Parking Places Order 2010 for implementation from 1st June 2010; and

  (b)  that the Members Car Parking Working Party be invited to consider those issues highlighted, specifically the promotion of environmental objectives as part of their preparations for the scheduled, comprehensive review of car parking in 2010.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services on the findings of the Member Car Parking Working Group.

(Councillor D B Dew, Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport was in attendance for this item. Councillor T D Sanderson, Chairman of the Car Parking Working Party was also in attendance).

(Councillor J S Watt declared a personal interest in the management of the car park in Yaxley arising from his business interests.)

Following an introduction by the Chairman of the Car Parking Working Party, the Panel considered a report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) by the Head of Planning Services on the findings of the Car Parking Working Party.

With regard to the recommendations proposed, the Panel had no objection to the intention to reduce the number of short stay spaces at the Riverside Car Park in Huntingdon due to lack of demand.  In respect of Ramsey, the Panel welcomed the suggestion of additional parking provision in Mews Close in view of Members’  concerns over the number of vehicles parking on the High Street.  Further to this, it was reported that County Council officers were considering limiting parking on the Great Whyte and introducing parking enforcement on the High Street. 

Having been informed that vehicles with low emissions were eligible for reduced rate season tickets, the Panel requested further details of the number of tickets issued with reductions.  Members also questioned whether future parking charges could be set in line with vehicle emissions rather than length of time parked but were informed that the technology was not yet available for this to be accomplished.

Having noted that parking at the new ‘Park & Ride’ site at St. Ives for the guided bus way was planned to be free of charge, the Panel voiced concerns that this could have a detrimental effect on town centre parking, as drivers might opt to use a free car park given its proximity to the town centre.  It was feared that this would have an adverse effect on overall car parking income and could also impact on the number of spaces available for users of the guided bus.  Members felt that the County Council should be urged to reconsider their decision to permit parking in the car park free of charge.

RESOLVED

  that the Cabinet be advised of the Panel's views on the car parking review.