Issue - meetings

To endorse the Off-Street Car Parking Strategy: 2018-2023 developed by the Strategic Review of Parking Task and Finish Group.

(Executive Councillor: Councillor Mrs M Beuttell)

Endorse the Off-Street Car Parking Strategy: 2018-2023 developed by the Strategic Review of Parking Task and Finish Group to enable Huntingdonshire District Councils Parking Service to work on the delivery of the short-term goals and long-term objectives.

The Cabinet considered a report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to endorse the Off-Street Car Parking Strategy: 2018-2023.

The Cabinet paid recognition to the Strategic Review of Parking Task and Finish Group, the former Executive Councillor for Operations, Cllr White, and the officers involved for the good quality strategic document.

Once endorsed, the next stage would be to devise the plans and policies to implement the Strategy.

It was explained that some of the issues for consideration would be the technology including methods of payment, such as by mobile telephone as increasingly people relied less on cash payments, which would prevent the need to have the correct change to pay and display.  Whether to pay for parking on entry or exit would also need consideration as pay on exit might be preferable meaning less time restriction on when to return to a vehicle and encouraged people to stay in the town centre for longer.

Going forward it was important to emphasise the customer experience rather than the parking fees, which seemed to be a main focus as well as the flexibility to only pay for what the customer used.  One suggestion that had previously been made was to provide the first thirty minutes of parking free.  However, it was noted that in addition to administration difficulties it would have a significant financial impact and that as the Council had to devise a balanced budget the loss of such parking fees would need to be recouped by other means.

Other considerations were whether to retain no parking fees on a Sunday and the widening of parking bays, whether there should be a premium to park in such bays.

In referring to the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) regarding parking provision for commuters, it was accepted that although it was not currently an issue, if in the future capacity at the railway station was insufficient it would be an issue for the District Council and therefore parking capacity throughout Huntingdon would be explored as part of implementation of the Strategy.

Other comments made by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel, although not included within the submitted report, were regarding the provision of cycle storage in car parks and the need to future proof in relation to electric charging points as vehicle technology advanced.  Regarding cycle storage it was suggested that car parks were not the most suitable locations for such facility.

The Cabinet noted that in previous surveys parking fees had not featured as the main priority and it was matters such as access, safety and cleanliness that were concerns for users, an example being that the Council had recently received complaints that at times delays were experienced when accessing the multi-story car park.  Whereupon, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

to endorse the Off-Street Car Parking Strategy: 2018-2023 developed by the Strategic Review of Parking Task and Finish Group to enable Huntingdonshire District Councils’ Parking Service to work on the delivery of the short-term goals  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33

The Panel are to receive the Off-Street Car Parking Strategy 2018-2023.

With the aid of a report by the Parking Services Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Strategic Review of Parking – Off-street Car Parking Strategy 2018-2023 was presented to the Panel.

The Executive Councillor for Regulation and Operations introduced the report. Members were informed that the strategy covers off-street car parking as the Council only has the responsibility for managing off-street car parks. The responsibility for on-street parking management resides with the Police.

It was noted that if the on-street parking enforcement was to be de-criminalised then Cambridgeshire County Council, as the Highway Authority, would have to apply to the Department of Transport. In addition, the Highway Authority would also have to upgrade the signs and lines, however they have stated that they would not do so.

A Member commented that events in off-street car parks can affect behaviour on-street and believes that on-street parking should be considered as well. It was noted that the Council reviewed Civil Parking Enforcement three years ago and the Task and Finish Group refreshed the work last year. In reviewing Civil Parking Enforcement, the Task and Finish Group decided, based on the evidence received, not to pursue the option.

With a query on commuter parking arising, the Panel was informed that the occupancy study found that the Council has enough capacity until 2030. The proposed strategy has a lifespan of five years after which there would be an opportunity to review the situation and refresh the strategy as appropriate. As the study found that there was enough capacity until 2030, the Task and Finish Group decided not to look further into relocating car parks. In addition, it was confirmed following a query that the reduced capacity of Bridge Place Car Park was factored into the occupancy survey.

A discussion on charging points ensued and it was stated that the strategy will allow Officers to undertake feasibility studies on electric charging points. One study will involve whether there is the electrical capacity to provide enough charge to meet potential demand.

The suggestion was made that the Council could extend the period it charges for, however it was stated that the aim of the strategy is to state the principles of off-street car parking management. In addition, the Panel was informed that the Task and Finish Group agreed that decisions on fees and charges would follow the strategy. It was noted that the Panel agreed with the important principle that the users pay for what they use.

The methodology and some of the conclusions of the survey were questioned, in particular whether the respondents were representative of car park users and the statement that low usage of mobile phone payment is down to a lack of knowledge. Regarding the former, the Panel was informed that the Task and Finish Group agreed the survey questions and how to conduct the survey. As for the mobile phone payment statement, the survey asked a question about this and therefore conclusions were drawn from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28