Issue - meetings

To approve formal consultation following a review of car park fees and charges.

That formal consultation be undertaken on the proposed fees and charges as detailed in Paragraph 10.2, Table 5 of the submitted report; and

That a Strategic Review of car parking be conducted by the Head of Operations, the Executive Councillor for Operational Resources assisted by the Overview and Scrutiny (Economy and Growth) Panel.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) regarding approval to consult on the proposed car park fees and charges

Car park charges were last reviewed three years ago, with the last increase being implemented on 1 April 2013.  A revision of fees and charges was required to achieve the budgetary requirements identified within the Zero Based Budget process of £250,000.  It was envisaged that the revised fees and charges would be effective as of February/March 2017 meaning that the current charges had not be amended for four years.

The current ticket machines were close to obsolete being difficult to repair.  To facilitate the proposed fees and charges, upgrades were required to certain machines. 

A strategic review was also scheduled in 2017 to assess current car parking provision, use and future needs with a focus on customer identified priorities; value for money; supporting market towns and future business, retail and housing growth.

The Cabinet were referred to paragraph 2.1 of the submitted report that detailed car parking charges in comparison with the Council’s family of authorities as identified by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.  It was noted that even with the proposed increase in charges the Council would continue to rank as the lowest charging authority.

Within the revised car park fees and charges schedule the Cabinet were advised that a ‘zero’ charge was proposed to be introduced for the initial hour of parking at the Riverside Car Parks in Huntingdon and St Neots, specifically to promote recreational use of the adjacent parks. 

Referring to the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economy and Growth) specifically the recommendation that a Task and Finish Group be established to review car park fees, it was suggested that the Panel had the option to have already convened this work.

Having been invited to address the Cabinet, the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economy and Growth) explained that the Panel accepted that the increase in car park fees and charges was necessary for the sake of the budget and that some of the issues raised amongst the Panel had been resolved within the report to the Cabinet.

The Panel agreed that formal consultation on the proposed increase in car park fees and charges commence and noted that the suggestion of a Task and Finish Group was to enable consideration of a wider brief, allowing consultation with national bodies such as the National Association of British Market Authorities. 

In addition to the recommendation detailed within the report, the Cabinet agreed that the strategic review of car parking would be conducted by the Head of Operations, the Executive Councillor for Operational Resources assisted by the Overview and Scrutiny (Economy and Growth) Panel.  Whereby it was,

  RESOLVED

  i.  That formal consultation be undertaken on the proposed fees and charges as detailed in Paragraph 10.2, Table 5 of the submitted report; and

  ii.  That a strategic review of car  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52

The Review of Fees and Charges – Car Parks is to be presented to the Panel.

With the aid of a report by the Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Review of Fees and Charges – Car Parks was presented to the Panel. By way of introduction the Executive Councillor for Operational Resources informed Members that as the level of government funding had been reducing year on year the Council has to review all income streams. The process identified a requirement to increase off street parking charges by £250k.

Members were reminded that the last time Parking Charges were reviewed was in 2013. Car Park Fees in Huntingdonshire are very competitive when compared with neighbouring authorities of Peterborough, Cambridge and Bedford. As part of the review the car parks are defined in the following categories: retail, commuter and recreational.

The Panel noted that officers and the Executive Councillor considered 12 options and the preferred option was number 12 which increased fees and charges by 20p in short stays and 30p in long stays. Included in the option was the introduction to of free parking after 3pm on Saturdays all year round.

In addition the Council will increase the cost of season tickets to £400 per year however Members were informed that the Council’s season tickets remain competitive when compared to season tickets sold for the railway station car park and the car park opposite the railway station.

The installation of new car parking machines have been proposed at a cost of £51,700. The machines would allow users to input vehicle registration numbers to claim the free first hours parking in Riverside St Neots and Riverside Huntingdon.

The Panel were reminded that the report before Members represents the starting point of the process before fee changes goes out for consultation with the public.

In response to the question of how is the consultation going to be measured Members were informed that the consultation will be measured in terms of the number of responses received.

Members commented that it is not fair to compare car park fees in Huntingdonshire with those in Peterborough and Cambridge as the fees in the cities are more expensive because there is more to do. It was noted that people who go to Peterborough and Cambridge will continue to go regardless of the car park fees in the District. Members thought more benefit would be gained by comparing fees with similar local authorities.

Concerns were raised that by increasing car parking fees people won’t want to go into the market towns but would rather go to the retail parks or supermarkets where parking in free or pay a little extra and go into Peterborough or Cambridge where there is a larger selection of retail outlets.

When a question was raised in regards to the number of cars that could be displaced as a result of the increase in car park fees, the Panel was informed that the report is on car park fees and it is not a general parking report.

Following a question as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30