Agenda item

To approve formal consultation following a review of car park fees and charges.

That formal consultation be undertaken on the proposed fees and charges as detailed in Paragraph 10.2, Table 5 of the submitted report; and

That a Strategic Review of car parking be conducted by the Head of Operations, the Executive Councillor for Operational Resources assisted by the Overview and Scrutiny (Economy and Growth) Panel.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) regarding approval to consult on the proposed car park fees and charges

Car park charges were last reviewed three years ago, with the last increase being implemented on 1 April 2013.  A revision of fees and charges was required to achieve the budgetary requirements identified within the Zero Based Budget process of £250,000.  It was envisaged that the revised fees and charges would be effective as of February/March 2017 meaning that the current charges had not be amended for four years.

The current ticket machines were close to obsolete being difficult to repair.  To facilitate the proposed fees and charges, upgrades were required to certain machines. 

A strategic review was also scheduled in 2017 to assess current car parking provision, use and future needs with a focus on customer identified priorities; value for money; supporting market towns and future business, retail and housing growth.

The Cabinet were referred to paragraph 2.1 of the submitted report that detailed car parking charges in comparison with the Council’s family of authorities as identified by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.  It was noted that even with the proposed increase in charges the Council would continue to rank as the lowest charging authority.

Within the revised car park fees and charges schedule the Cabinet were advised that a ‘zero’ charge was proposed to be introduced for the initial hour of parking at the Riverside Car Parks in Huntingdon and St Neots, specifically to promote recreational use of the adjacent parks. 

Referring to the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economy and Growth) specifically the recommendation that a Task and Finish Group be established to review car park fees, it was suggested that the Panel had the option to have already convened this work.

Having been invited to address the Cabinet, the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economy and Growth) explained that the Panel accepted that the increase in car park fees and charges was necessary for the sake of the budget and that some of the issues raised amongst the Panel had been resolved within the report to the Cabinet.

The Panel agreed that formal consultation on the proposed increase in car park fees and charges commence and noted that the suggestion of a Task and Finish Group was to enable consideration of a wider brief, allowing consultation with national bodies such as the National Association of British Market Authorities. 

In addition to the recommendation detailed within the report, the Cabinet agreed that the strategic review of car parking would be conducted by the Head of Operations, the Executive Councillor for Operational Resources assisted by the Overview and Scrutiny (Economy and Growth) Panel.  Whereby it was,

  RESOLVED

  i.  That formal consultation be undertaken on the proposed fees and charges as detailed in Paragraph 10.2, Table 5 of the submitted report; and

  ii.  That a strategic review of car parking be conducted by the Head of Operations, the Executive Councillor for Operational Resources assisted by the Overview and Scrutiny (Economy and Growth) Panel.