Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Chief Officers’ Management Team regarding the outcome of consultation on proposals to introduce new Orders governing the use of car parks operated by the Council.

Authorised the Director of Central Services to proceed with the making of the Off Street Parking Places Orders 2010, without holding a local inquiry.

(Councillors B Chapman and R S Farrer – Ward Members for St Neots Priory Park and Eaton Ford respectively, were in attendance and spoke on this item)

Further to Minute No. 09/100 and with the assistance of a report prepared by Chief Officer's Management Team (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered the responses received to the consultation on the Off-Street Parking Places Orders 2010, summarised in the appendices to the report.

Members were reminded that the Orders would introduce a number of changes to the existing orders including the use of parking provision at Riverside Car Park in Huntingdon, control of free parking in Ramsey, introduction of charging at Hinchingbrooke Country Park, Huntingdon, Riverside Park and Cambridge Street, St. Neots.

In reviewing the issues involved, the Cabinet considered comments by Councillors Chapman and Farrer as to their concerns for St Neots town centre and local residents of the proposed charges for the Riverside Car Park. At the same time, attention was drawn to the receipt of two petitions objecting to these charges.

Members’ attention was drawn also to the conclusions reached by the Overview and Scrutiny (Environmental Well-Being) Panel on the matter.  The Panel had discussed proposals, to introduce charging at Hinchingbrooke Country Park, particularly the introduction of a “Friend’s of the Park” car park permit.  In that respect, the Cabinet concurred with the Panel that the use of this car park would need to be managed in such a way to ensure that membership of friends was not used to enable motorists to continue to park without incurring a charge.

On the issue of holding a local inquiry, Executive Councillors agreed with the Panel that there had been ample opportunity for members of the public to comment and therefore there was no reason why a local inquiry should be required.

Having noted the concerns of the Executive Councillor for Environment and Information Technology over the implementation of the charges at Riverside Park, St Neots and the limited number and duration of the free car parking spaces proposed, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that the Director of Central Services be authorised to proceed with the making of the Off Street Parking Places Orders 2010, without holding a local inquiry.

To consider a report by the Scrutiny and Review Manager regarding the outcome of consultation on proposals to introduce new Orders governing the use of car parks operated by the Council.

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

The Panel considered a report by the Chief Officers Management Team (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which outlined the responses received following the advertisement of proposals to introduce new Orders governing the use of car parks operated by the Council. 

The Panel also received a briefing paper (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) showing the financial impact of the approved MTP in the context of income from parking fees at Riverside Park, St Neots with 38 spaces free of charge for two hours, compared with the alternative scenario suggested by the Panel of all spaces at Riverside Park being free for three hours. 

The Panel discussed the responses received which opposed the introduction of charges for parking at Riverside Park, St. Neots.  In view of the level of publicity that this had generated in the local media, the Panel acknowledged that there had been ample opportunity for Members of the public to comment.  The Panel therefore saw no reason why a local inquiry should be required to explore the objections raised in greater detail, as it was felt that this would add further delay and cost to the process.  While Members expressed some sympathy with the views expressed by the public, the Panel also recognised the need for the Council to generate additional income to meet the anticipated shortfall in the Council's budget.

With regard to the proposed introduction of parking charges at HinchingbrookeCountry Park, Members recognised that the Car Park was being used by motorists working and visiting the nearby hospital and commuting via the railway station.  With that in mind, the Panel drew attention to the need to ensure that the concession of free parking for members of the Friends of the Country Park was not used simply to enable motorists to continue to park at the country park without charge. 

RESOLVED

  that the Cabinet be recommended to consider the objections received and to determine the orders, as advertised, without holding a local inquiry.