Agenda item

To receive any questions relating to items on the agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.

Sophia Beard asked, the Tiverton Town Centre Partnership are undertaking our AGM at the same time that your meeting is taking place. Therefore you may have noticed that some of the faces that have been following the issue of the proposed parking charge rises are unable to attend in person this evening. However the Tiverton Town Centre representatives are in the audience with you this evening and listening attentively.

The Tiverton Town Centre Partnership look forward to a positive working relationship with Mid Devon Council, where communication and consultation are expected to be greatly improved for the benefit of the Town Centre businesses.

It is acknowledged that movement has been made on the issue of the parking charge increases. It is felt that the steps proposed so far by the Economic Group and discussed by Cabinet have addressed much of the immediate concerns for residents, workers and employees of the town centre.

However, on the issue of parking conditions which work to attract and support visitors to our town centre there is more work to be done. It is acknowledged that Cabinet have highlighted the issue to be part of a future consultation process, but the issue of attracting visitors to the town centre is an urgent matter now! And so the questions this evening are;

1. Please can the council members consider introducing 30 minute free parking for daytime visitors to the town centre as part of its deliberations and motions on the issue of parking charge rises this evening?

2. Please can the council members discuss the implementation of monthly direct debit payments for the parking permits as this will make them far more accessible to local residents, workers and employees of the town centre?

3. Following the public interest in this issue, what are the council proposing to do about advertising the existence of and the newly agreed tariffs of the annual permits to local businesses, workers, employees and residents of the town centre?

In response to question 1, the Chairman responded by saying that the new working group which the Economy PDG asked to be established to look at future changes will happily explore all possibilities which support the town centre and businesses whilst also examining the financial implications.

In response to question 2, the Chairman responded by saying that this was discussed during Cabinet debate and a motion was carried to introduce monthly payments for most permits (annual allocated space permits will remain as a yearly charge due to the nature of the space and permit conditions). This will be implemented at the earliest opportunity.

In response to question 3, the Chairman responded by saying that the parking manager is working closely with local town councils to ensure local businesses, residents and employees are aware of the new charges. The service is also working closely with growth and regeneration service in order to utilise their links to local businesses and communities. Advertisement of the new charges will occur on varying platforms including but not limited to local press release, notices in all car parks, website and social media, business newsletters and town council commerce groups.

Cllr A Wilce expressed that theconstitution required that unanswered questions are reported to the next relevant meeting but having looked at all the papers that’s not included in any of them. Cllr Wilce asked for an explanation as to why that might be. To which the District Solicitor & Monitoring Officer explained that this would be looked into.