Issue - meetings

To consider the decision made by Cabinet on 11^th February 2010 on the Car Parking Review Update, which has been called-in by the Panel, as described in a report by the Head of Democratic and Central Services.

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

The Panel received a report by the Head of Democratic and Central Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining the call-in procedure and the reasons why the Cabinet's decision on the Car Parking Review 2009 had been called-in for scrutiny by the requisite three Members of the Panel. 

The Transportation Team Leader circulated a map (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to Members showing the vicinity of the town centre car parks and the associated proposed charging rates.  Members were advised that the rates were set in such a way to discourage long-stay parking in the town centre. It was explained that charging less for spaces outside of the town centre was intended to reduce traffic congestion and pollution on the High Street. 

The Panel acknowledged the dual use of the Riverside Park Car Park by users of both the park and the town centre. However Members felt that the Cabinet's decision to provide 38 spaces offering two hours free parking in a demarcated area at Riverside Car Park for leisure usage could result in the free spaces being dominated by shoppers, which would reduce their availability for those wanting to use the park for leisure and recreational purposes.  The Panel noted that there was no way in which use of the proposed free spaces could be restricted to park users.  Members suggested that, not only were 38 spaces insufficient for a free period for parking, but that two hours was insufficient before charging began as this was not long enough for users of the park, nor those who wished to walk into the town. 

Local Members pointed out that there were limited play opportunities in St. Neots west of the river which, together with the distances involved in travelling to the Riverside Park and the inadequacies of public transport locally, meant that parents had little option other than to travel by car to permit their children to use the play facilities at the Riverside. 

In response to questions, the Panel was advised that monitoring of the 38 spaces would be conducted by street rangers through hand-held technology, and that the cost of monitoring these spaces would reduce the net forecast income from the introduction of charges by approximately £10,000.  It was reported that implementation of a pay on exit barrier system would be costly to maintain. 

In light of their concerns, the Panel requested the Cabinet to reconsider allowing three hours free parking in the whole of the Riverside Car Park which would benefit shoppers who wished to park for short periods and assist those who wanted to use the park for leisure and recreational purposes.  The Panel suggested that the charge be set in line with that proposed for the car park at Cambridge Street for those who parked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services outlining the findings of a meeting by the Car Parking Working Group convened to discuss the operational issues of introducing an area of free car parking for recreational use at the Riverside Car Park, St Neots as part of the revised Off-Street Parking Places Order 2010.

Agreed to include the provision of 38 spaces offering 2 hours free parking in a demarcated area at Riverside Car Park, St. Neots as part of a revised Off-Street Parking Places Order 2010 for planned implementation on 1st June 2010, requested the Members Car Parking Working Group to consider those issues raised by the Overview and Scrutiny (Environmental Well-Being) Panel and the promotion of environmental issues at the end of the statutory consultation period; and authorised the Director of Environment and Community Services, after consultation with Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport, to make and confirm Off-Street Parking Places Orders in future years involving any changes of minor significance and reviews of charges in line with inflation.

Further to Minute No. 09/59 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 in relation to the operational aspect of introducing an element of two hours free parking for recreational users of Riverside Park, St. Neots.

In so doing, Executive Councillors were reminded that proposals to introduce charging at Cambridge Street and Riverside Car Park in St. Neots were being developed as part of a revised Off-Street Parking Places Order 2010 targeted for implementation from 1st June 2010. 

Having recognised the importance of the Riverside as a recreational area and the difficulties of enforcement if all spaces were made free for the first two hours, the Working Group had recommended that an element of free parking be provided.  This demarcated area would consist of 38 spaces providing free parking for up to 2 hours. In that context the Cabinet was acquainted with the views of the Overview and Scrutiny (Environmental Well-Being) Panel which had identified a variety of local circumstances which suggested a more extensive free parking policy.  As provision had been made in the budget for additional income from charges with effect from 1^st June, the Cabinet recognised that progress was required urgently if a shortfall in the budget was to be avoided.  The Cabinet therefore concluded that the order should be made and advertised and the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel considered together with any comments from the public at the end of the statutory consultation procedure before an order is confirmed. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the provision of 38 spaces offering 2 hours free parking in a demarcated area at Riverside Car Park, St. Neots be included as part of an Off-Street Parking Places Order 2010 for planned implementation on 1st June 2010;

(b)  that the Car Parking Working Group be requested to consider those issues raised by the Overview and Scrutiny (Environmental Well-Being) Panel and the promotion of environmental issues at the end of the statutory consultation period; and

(c)  that the Director of Environment and Community Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport, to make and confirm Off-Street Parking Places Orders in future years involving any changes of minor significance and reviews of charges in line with inflation.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services outlining the findings of a meeting by the Car Parking Working Group convened to discuss the operational issues of introducing an area of free car parking for recreational use at the Riverside Car Park, St Neots as part of the revised Off-Street Parking Places Order 2010.

(Councillor D B Dew, Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport was in attendance for this Item). 

The Panel considered a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which outlined the findings of the Car Parking Working Group on the operational issues of introducing an area of free car parking for recreational use at the Riverside Car Park, St. Neots as part of a revised off-street parking places order. Members were advised that 38 spaces had been recommended for free parking of up to 2 hours for users of the RiversidePark. 

A number of Members raised concerns over the possible implications of introducing charging for the car park. It was reported that the footfall in St. Neots had fallen recently and that the town was suffering from traffic congestion.  It was felt that the implementation of parking charges at the Riverside Park would exacerbate these issues and increase air pollution in the town centre. 

The Panel suggested that there should be three hours free parking in the whole of the Riverside Car Park which would benefit shoppers who wished to park there and those who wanted to use the park for recreational purposes.  Members expressed the view that an appropriate charge should be set for those who parked for longer than three hours, with payment on exit which might reduce enforcement costs.

RESOLVED

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