Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 20^th September 2018.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 20^th September 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to the following typographical amendment to the apologies given for the meeting:

‘Apologies for absence from the meeting were submitted on behalf of Councillors R Fuller.’

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary and other interests in relation to any Agenda item.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary or other interests received at the meeting.

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.

Prior to concluding the meeting the Leader informed the Cabinet that it was the final meeting that Melanie Stimpson would attend as she was due to leave the Council’s employment at the end of October.

The Leader expressed appreciation to Ms Stimpson for her support and contribution, having valued the advice that she had offered in the past and wished the very best in her role, sentiments which were echoed by the Cabinet.