Agenda item

To receive an oral report by the Director of Central Services on the outcome of the call-in, by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Support), of the decision of the Cabinet relating to the Car Parking Strategy.

Noted the views expressed by the Overview & Scrutiny (Service Support) Panel;

Agreed to introduce a reduction of 50% in the cost of a car parking season ticket for cars with CO² emissions of 120g/km or less as part of the implementation of the car parking action plan with effect from 1^st June 2008;

Agreed that the wider issues of encouraging the use of low emission vehicles, public transport, cycling and walking be dealt with in the development of the Environment Strategy and in the next review of the car parking action plan;

Agreed that surplus income from car parking charges be not ringed fenced for integrated, sustainable and accessible transport;

Agreed to amend the resolution in Minute No 99 (c) of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 31^st January 2008 and approved the proposed car parking charges outlined as the second option in Annex D of the Car Parking Strategy Action Plan and their advertisement;

Agreed to amend the resolution in Minute No 99 (d) of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 31^st January 2008 and agreed that issues relating to climate change in the car parking action plan be reviewed following a period of 6 months after the introduction of the revised charges;

Requested that further consideration be given by the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, a representative of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Support) and relevant officers to the initial scoping of the review of the Car Parking Action Plan referred to in (f) above.

Further to Minute No. 07/99 and with the assistance of a report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Support) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered the deliberations of the Panel following its “call in” of the decision made by the Cabinet on the proposed car parking strategy action plan for Huntingdonshire at its meeting on the 31^st January 2008.

Members were advised that the Panel had been disappointed that the Cabinet had decided to accept the Car Parking Working Party’s recommendation to introduce a 25% reduction in the cost of a car parking season ticket for vehicles with emissions below 120g/km. The Panel had felt that the Cabinet should take a more innovative approach and introduce greater incentives to encourage motorists to purchase and use low emission vehicles. In the discussion that ensued, Executive Councillors took the opportunity to reconsider the level of charges to be introduced for car parking from 1^st June 2008, given the financial implications of introducing a reduction for season ticket holders with low emission vehicles.

With regard to the Panel’s recommendation regarding the use of surplus income it was assumed would be generated by increased car parking, Executive Councillors reiterated that it would not be appropriate to ring fence surplus income from charges in accordance with Council policy.  Members also noted that the Council’s expenditure on highways and transportation issues far exceeded any surplus that might be made from car parking charges.

In discussing arrangements to review the Car Parking Action Plan, Executive Councillors recognised the need to consider climate change issues within the forthcoming Environment Strategy and that it would therefore be appropriate to reconsider the implications for the car parking action plan earlier than previously intended.

Having acknowledges the Overview and Scrutiny Panel’s input into the matter, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the views expressed by the Overview & Scrutiny (Service Support) Panel be noted;

(b)  that a reduction of 50% in the cost of a car parking season ticket for cars with CO² emissions of 120g/km or less be introduced as part of the implementation of the car parking action plan with effect from 1^st June 2008;

(c)  that the wider issues of encouraging the use of low emission vehicles, public transport, cycling and walking be dealt with in the development of the Environment Strategy and in the next review of the car parking action plan;

(d)  that surplus income from car parking charges be not ringed fenced for integrated, sustainable and accessible transport;

(e)  that the resolution in Minute No 99 (c) of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 31^st January 2008 be amended and the proposed car parking charges outlined as the second option in Annex D of the Car Parking Strategy Action Plan be approved and advertised;

(f)  that the resolution in Minute No 99 (d) of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 31^st January 2008 be amended and issues relating to climate change in the car parking action plan be reviewed following a period of 6 months after the introduction of the revised charges; and

(g)  that further consideration be given by the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, a representative of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Support) and relevant officers to the initial scoping of the review of the Car Parking Action Plan referred to in (f) above.