Issue - meetings

To receive a report seeking endorsement to progress the proposed parking order through the relevant steps with a view to establishing a replacement off-street parking places order that supports continued enforcement of our car parks once Civil Parking Enforcement commences.

Executive Councillor: S Taylor.

The Cabinet has

(a)  endorsed progression of the proposed order through the relevant steps as set out in the paper with a view to establishing the replacement order;

(b)  delegated authority to the Corporate Director (Place) to make and confirm future off-street parking places orders, and changes to off-street parking places orders, not relating to charges after consultation with the relevant Executive Councillor;

(c)  noted the Cambridgeshire County Council Civil Parking Enforcement Policy and Operational Guidance; and

(d)  requested detail to be provided to each Parish Council as to what they can expect under the implementation of the Civil Parking Enforcement Order.

With the aid of a report prepared by the Head of Economy, Regeneration & Housing and the Operations Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered a report seeking endorsement to progress with the proposed parking order through the relevant steps with a view to establishing a replacement off-street parking places order that supports continued enforcement of our car parks once Civil Parking Enforcement commences.

The Executive Councillor for Open Spaces, Waste and Street Scene reported that the process had begun under the previous administration back in 2018 and the report before Cabinet Members sought to provide an update to Cabinet Members on the Parking Order which would also bring the District’s own car parks under Civil Enforcement. Additionally, it was reported that planning was underway to commence a review of the Council’s Car Parking Strategy which would begin once the scope of work had been defined. Attention was then drawn to the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environment, Communities & Partnerships) where an additional recommendation had been proposed by Panel Members. The additional recommendation had been accepted by Officers.

In welcoming the report and having agreed to accept the recommendation proposed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environment, Communities & Partnerships) it was

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet

(a)  endorse progression of the proposed order through the relevant steps as set out in the paper with a view to establishing the replacement order;

(b)  delegate authority to the Corporate Director (Place) to make and confirm future off-street parking places orders, and changes to off-street parking places orders, not relating to charges after consultation with the relevant Executive Councillor;

(c)  note the Cambridgeshire County Council Civil Parking Enforcement Policy and Operational Guidance; and

(d)  provide detail to each Parish Council as to what they can expect under the implementation of the Civil Parking Enforcement Order.

The Panel is invited to comment on the CPE Update and Off-Street Parking Places Order Report.

Executive Councillor: S Taylor

By means of a report by the Head of Economy, Regeneration and Housing Operations Manager (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), the Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) Update and Off-Street Parking Places Order Report was presented to the Panel.

Clarification in relation to point 11 of Appendix 1 was sought, following which the Panel were advised that this related to carparks without visible bay markings such as the carpark at Hinchingbrooke Country Park. Concern was expressed that there was a lack of clarification for on street parking restrictions which a concern for residents, however the Panel were advised that the Council would be adopting Cambridgeshire County Council’s policy for on street parking and that this document detailed the on-street restrictions. It was confirmed to the Panel that the application had been submitted to the Department of Transport and was expected to be heard in Parliament in July. It was noted that the team would likely be looking to commence enforcement in August once approved.

The Panel heard that an accessible online portal would provide maps across the County which would list all the detail and restrictions for each parish. The details of this would be shared in due course once it is active. Councillor Hassall expressed his support for this portal and felt that it would be particularly useful to more rural residents and further enquired whether the signs and lines throughout the district were now at an enforceable standard, following which the Panel were assured that work was underway to ensure that this would be completed prior to the Civil Enforcement coming into effect.

Councillor Hassall further proposed that each Councillor be provided with the levels of enforcement that they could expect in each parish so that this information could be passed on to parishes. Following a discussion, where the Panel heard that this detail had been included within the original report and that engagement with parishes was ongoing with a robust Communications Plan, it was proposed by Councillor Hassall to add an additional recommendation to the Cabinet report, this was seconded by Councillor Bywater and the Panel voted unanimously in favour of forwarding the proposed recommendation to the Cabinet;

5) to provide detail to each parish council as to what they can expect under the implementation of the Civil Parking Enforcement Order.

Clarification was sough on the terms set out in 5.1.4 of the report and how they would be affected by Local Government Review, following which, the Panel were informed that the project would continue on a business as usual basis until otherwise advised, however the Panel were assured that the majority of the proposed partner Councils were also working in partnership on CPE therefore minimal disruption to the Order was anticipated.

Following the discussion, it was

RESOLVED

that Cabinet be encouraged to consider the comments from Overview and Scrutiny when making a decision upon the recommendations within the report;  and; that the Cabinet consider adding the proposed recommendation 5 to the report;

5)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56