Issue - meetings

To consider a further report of the Deputy Chief Executive 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”).

The Cabinet may also receive a view with regard to the OSPPO from Council following the receipt of a petition at its meeting on 8 January 2020.

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.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 116

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) providing Members with an update on the progress of the Off- Street Parking Places Order (“OSPPO”).

The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) providing Members with an update on the progress of the Off- Street Parking Places Order (“OSPPO”).

The Deputy Chief Executive (S151) outlined the contents of the report and responded to questions posed in public question time:

·         Changing the car parking policy was always a challenge as there was a need to strike a balance with regard to value for money and to secure revenue for maintenance purposes.  Consideration of increasing charges had been taken seriously, the issue had been discussed at the Car Parking Working Group and further considered by the Economy Policy Development Group before being presented to the Cabinet.

·         The free half hour was still available in the evening but had been removed during the day time, it had been noted that the traders preferred people to stay longer in the town and the recommendation had been that the 1 hour tariff be reduced to £1.25.

·         The hospital car park was administered by the hospital not by the Local Authority.

·         The car parks cost a lot of money to maintain especially the multi storey car park, a report had been considered by the Cabinet in August where an £800k maintenance and enhancement project had been approved and any increase would be used for that project.

·         Putting 10p on the Council Tax was not an easy option, local authorities could only increase Council Tax by 2%.

·         The decision to increase charges was not a decision to reduce congestion, there was a reliance on the car in Mid Devon as other transport provision in the area was considered to be poor.

·         The main reason for the increase was to maintain the assets of the council, the purchase of a permit would reduce costs for the user

·         With regard to killing the town, there was a need to set a balance.  He explained the strategic investment in Market Walk and that the shops were nearly all filled, the Council did not want a reduction in footfall.

·         The Premier Inn had influenced the decision.

·         There was still a long stay tariff available for people who made bus trips

·         Council Officers did currently have free parking

·         The consultation process had ended and that he would be looking at the responses

Consideration was given to:

·         A request that the Cabinet Members consider the responses from the consultation process

·         The need to advertise the use of permits more and the availability of payment instalments, details of which were on the website.

RESOLVED that: as the consultation deadline was 18th December and Cabinet wished to have sight of this feedback, that this report be amended to return to the next meeting with the inclusion of information relating to the consideration of objections and representations received during that consultation.

(Proposed by Cllr Mrs N Woollatt and seconded by Cllr G Barnell)

Notes: 

a)            *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes;

b)            Cllr L D Taylor left the meeting at this point.