Agenda item

Members are to receive a report on Off Street Car Parking Investment and Affordability.

With the aid of a report by the Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Off-Street Car Parking Investment and Affordability was presented to the Panel. In introducing the report the Executive Councillor for Operations and Regulation informed Members that all the changes will take between three and four years to roll out.

A Member asked if consideration been given to those residents who forget their vehicle registration or enter the incorrect vehicle registration, however no response was given.

A comment was made in respect to the communications of the changes. In response, the Panel was informed that once the decision to invest has been taken, then a full communications plan will be put in place.

In response to a query on additional car parking income, it was explained that the changes are to encourage dwell times and through this additional paid for parking time income is anticipated to increase. It was also noted that as the charging structure is altering to allow the customer to pay for what they use a direct comparison between existing charges and new charges cannot be made.

Members were informed that where pay for what you use is implement, 50% of customers have swapped over to use the check in, check out service. It was stated that the customer would need a debit or credit card to take advantage of the service and that customers using cash payment would have to pay for a set amount time upfront.

Concerns were raised over the amount of personal data being collected; however Members were informed that personal data will only be viewed by authorised personnel and will be managed and deleted in accordance with General Data Protection Regulation. The Parking Service is audited by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to ensure they are fully compliant in managing any personal data, failure would result in a withdrawal of our ability to have access to vehicle keeper information. It was confirmed that the Council has never failed to meet these requirements. Data for statistics will be anonymised but will still provide the Council with enough information to be able to make better and more informed decisions.

Following a question as to why the Council are not charging in all car parks, the Panel was informed that it would not be economically viable for the Council to charge for parking in some car parks. It was clarified that the Task and Finish Group agreed early on that Sundays should not be charged and existing small non-town based car parks without charge should remain so with opportunities explored to transfer them to community ownership where possible reflecting their main use. In addition, blue badge holders will not be charged for parking.

A Member commented that they expected pushback from the public in regards to changing the charging schedule without the improvements and that openness on the future improvements will be required. It was clarified that the charging schedule will only be changed once the new machines are installed, in a phased approach as it is a requirement of ‘Pay for What You Use’. In addition where possible, bay sizes will also be increased.

A Member stated that they are not convinced that charging for car parks will encourage retail in the town centres. The Panel was informed that car parks are not free as they have to be maintained and they incur business rates. In the event that charges were lowered or withdrawn the Council would need to find additional funding streams from elsewhere in order to achieve the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

(At 8.27pm, during the consideration of this item, Councillor J A Gray left the meeting.)

(At 8.37pm, during the consideration of this item, Councillor J A Gray entered the meeting.)

(At 8.57pm, during the consideration of this item, Councillor J Cooper-Marsh left the meeting.)

(At 8.58pm, during the consideration of this item, Councillor J Cooper-Marsh entered the meeting.)