Issue - meetings

To receive a report seeking endorsement for the Parking Strategy.

The Cabinet has considered and adopted the Parking Strategy.

A report by the Head of Economy, Regeneration & Housing Delivery and the Operations Manager, Parking & Markets Services was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking the endorsement of the Parking Strategy.

The Executive Councillor for Economy, Regeneration & Housing Delivery, Councillor B Mickelburgh introduced the report, and made reference to the comments of the Overview & Scrutiny Panel (Performance & Growth).

In discussing the report, the Cabinet made the following comments:

• there had been extensive public engagement undertaken during the development of the Strategy;
• respondents had consistently identified parking as important in supporting town centres, improving accessibility, enabling access to businesses and services and supporting local economic activity;
• particular emphasis was placed on existing parking provision where evidence demonstrated an ongoing need;
• existing car parks should be retained unless robust evidence indicated they were no longer required;
• any proposal involving repurposing or redevelopment should demonstrate that parking demand could continue to be met; and
• replacement capacity should be available before the loss of any existing parking provision.

The Cabinet welcomed the Strategy and highlighted the importance of maintaining an evidence base that would enable future parking decisions to respond to changing travel patterns and support sustainable town centres.

Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that the Parking Strategy be adopted.