Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Environment and Enforcement Manager providing options for the Economy PDG to make recommendations on the pay and display and permit tariff increases for the financial year 2023/2024.

The Group had before it, a report * from the Environment and Enforcement Manager providing options for the Economy PDG to make recommendations to the Cabinet to determine and display and permit tariff increases for the financial year 2023 – 2024.

The Chairman commenced the discussion by stating that it had become evident was that the Cabinet were not approving the recommendations of this Group with regard to car parking. He requested that a working group be set up under the new administration, including Members of the Economy PDG, to oversee the strategic considerations relating to future car parking fees and charges, leaving the inflationary aspects to be delegated to the S151 Officer.  

The contents of the report were outlined with particular reference to the following:

·         The previous advanced notice of car parking charges had been pulled following the decision of full Council on 22^nd February 2022. The recommendations of this Group would go to the Cabinet for a decision on 4^th April 2023.

·         In response to the question raised by Mr Nick Quinn, the cost of the parking charges is £782,652.53 up until the 14 March 2023. There was no surplus, the proposed increases were about trying to reduce the current losses. Further financial information relating to the different projections proposed (and requested by Mr Quinn) is contained in the separate answer sheet which is being distributed alongside these minutes. In response to the questions posed by Ms Stacey Gray, no one wants to raise fees and charges in the current cost of living crisis but good parking facilities needed to be provided and maintained with adequate security. Again further information is contained in the separate answer sheet which is being distributed alongside these minutes.

·         The first option included inflationary increases on all elements associated with car parking from 2016 and 2019 (when the scheme was last reviewed). Considerable costs had been incurred as a result of resurfacing and maintenance, particularly in relation the multi storey car park (MSCP). Any surpluses generated would need to be ploughed back into car parking services. Doing nothing was not an option. Whatever was decided would likely take place after the election and 21 day’s notice would need to be given.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         The extent of the consultation that had taken place regarding proposed increases. Officers had been in touch with local businesses and did listen to public feedback but lessons had been learnt for the future.

·         Changing the tariff only required 21 days notice.

·         It was requested that in future inflationary increases be shown as a percentage and in a separate column.

·         A proposal was made to freeze all current charges and a thorough review take place regarding future increases. The question was asked as to what effect this would have on the Council’s budget? It was confirmed that a £250k shortfall would result with the Cabinet needing to find this somewhere else in order to plug the gap. This would be a significant loss of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53