Decision details

The Cabinet had before it a further *report of the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) following the decision at the previous meeting to defer the item so that the Cabinet could consider objections and representations made in regard to the proposed changes to the Off-Street Parking Places Order (“OSPPO”).

Also Members were requested to consider the following recommendation from Council following receipt of a petition: RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that the decision to increase parking charges in Tiverton specifically the Multi-Storey Car Park and the loss of 30 minutes free parking in Westexe South and William Street be reconsidered.

The Leader indicated that consideration would be given to the petition, the Cabinet were not ‘anti’ people in the town or those who used the car park.  The initial decision had been made in August 2019 on recommendation from the Economy Policy Development Group who had considered the views of the Car Parking Working Group.  The Scrutiny Committee had called in the decision and requested that the decision be reconsidered which it had been.  He therefore proposed to discuss the issue again, following further concerns raised by local businesses.

The Cabinet Member for Finance stated that there was a need to consider the objections and representations made during the public consultation and to consider the wording of the petition presented to Council.  Some of the parking prices had been reduced and he highlighted the most used tariff for one hour’s parking and emphasised the value of purchasing a permit. He understood the concerns raised and therefore made further proposals to reduce costs further: a charge of 50p for 30 minutes in Westexe South Car Park, Tiverton and William Street Car Park, Tiverton which he felt was good value for money.  The preservation of free parking for 30 minutes between the hours of 8.30-9.30am and 3-4pm, Monday to Friday at William Street Car Park to allow for school arrivals and pick up times. And the changes to the tariff in the Multi-Storey Car Park to allow for 5 hours parking for £3 and 10 Hours parking for £5.

Consideration was given to:

·         The compromises that had been made

·         The need to increase footfall in the town

·         The lack of free parking in Crediton and Cullompton

·         The process for consultation which was a legal requirement

·         Whether a working group should be reconvened to reconsider the whole issue of car parking in the towns

·         Whether the Economy PDG be requested to review parking charges in a year’s time

·         The need to finance the maintenance of the car parks

·         The parking available in the area of Westexe

·         Permits available to purchase and the direct debit facility available

·         The need for savings to be made by the Cabinet across other services to allow for the reduction in charges

The Chief Executive answered questions posed in public question time: with regard to the capital receipt from the Premier Inn, he confirmed that these funds were set aside in a reserve but were not set aside for maintenance work. With regard to Councillors and staff using the car park: 42 councillors used the car park as did about 80-100 staff, many of the staff lived locally and were able to walk to work. The Group Manager for Financial Services explained that capital receipts had to be spend on capital items and therefore could not be used to maintain the car parks. 

Having considered

·         all duly made representations and objections to the proposed Order;

·         the petition presented to Council on 8^th January 2020; and

·         the recommendation of the Council arising from its consideration of the said petition

RESOLVED that the Order (including the charges and tariffs) be made in accordance with the public notice previously given, with the following modifications:

(1)  the re-introduction of 30 minutes’ parking in Westexe South Car Park, Tiverton charged at £0.50 Monday to Saturday;

(2)  the re-introduction of 30 minutes’ parking in William Street Car Park, Tiverton charged at £0.50 Monday to Saturday, save for the preservation of FREE parking for 30 minutes between the hours of 8.30-9.30am and 3-4pm Monday to Friday; and

(3)   the proposed charges for parking in the Multi-Storey Car Park, Tiverton be reduced as follows:

(a)  for 5 hours’ parking, the proposed charge is reduced from £4 to £3; and

(b)  for 10 hours’ parking, the proposed charge is reduced from £6 to £5.

(Proposed by Cllr A White and seconded by Cllr Mrs N Woollatt)

Notes: 

i)             Cllr D J Knowles declared a personal interest as a number of objectors were known to him;

ii)            Cllr C J Eginton declared a personal interest as he had a business in Tiverton;

iii)           Cllr Miss E Wainwright left the meeting at this point;

iv)          *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.