Agenda item

To receive a report from the Head of People, Performance & Waste and the Environment & Enforcement Manager recommending proposals to be considered by the Economy and Assets Policy Development Group that have come from the Car Parking Consultative Group for future changes to both pay and display as well as permit parking within MDDC car parks for the financial year 2026/27.

The Group had before it a report * from the Head of People, Performance and Waste and the Environment & Enforcement manager recommending proposals from the Car Parking Consultative Group for future changes to both pay and display as well as permit parking within Mid Devon District Council car parks for the financial year 2026/2027.

The following was highlighted within the report:

·       The Head of People, Performance and Waste commenced his introduction to the report by responding in full to the questions from Mr Quinn. In response to Mr Quinn’s claim that the last introduction of new tariffs was the 1 June 2024 and not 1 June 2023 the Head of People, Performance and Waste confirmed that the public questioner was correct. The last rise was in June 2024 and not June 2023. The Head of People, Performance and Waste corrected the record for this change and also acknowledged that some of the proposed changes were incorrect due to being raised to the nearest £1 rather than the nearest 10p. The Head of People, Performance and Waste gave the examples for Station Road, Cullompton and High Street, Crediton.

·       Cllr Woollatt later identified that a similar error had occurred for Wellbrook Street, Tiverton and the Head of People, Performance and Waste acknowledged this mistake and likewise corrected the proposed rates on record.

·       The Head of People, Performance and Waste apologised for the above mistakes to both the public questioner and the committee and confirmed these would be corrected before being sent on to Cabinet.

·       The Head of People, Performance and Waste then introduced the substance of the report. In terms of looking at the package of measures that were being presented this paper set out proposed fees and charges for car parks and permits for the upcoming 2026/2027 financial year. These were intended to be bought in from the 1st of April 2026. These proposals had all been carefully considered and put forward by the Car Parking Consultative Group. This group comprised of a collection of business and community representatives across the district who provided feedback and input to ensure proposals were properly considered and reflective of community views before they came to the Policy Development Group.

·       There had been three key considerations in making these proposals. First, that they were logical and worked for both businesses and communities in the district. Secondly, consideration was given to the cost of living pressures being experienced by residents and thirdly that they took account of the financial pressures being placed on the Council, including funding and inflation. The group had put forward three main sets of proposals for consideration. First, that car parking fees were raised by 5%. There had been no rise in car parking fees since the 2024 financial year. The rise on the 1st of June 2024 had reflected inflation during that year. Inflation was projected to rise by at least 5.7%. The increase in costs for the parking service were considerable and included the cost of patrolling car parks and the increase in National Insurance tax on employees, supply costs and maintenance. The Consultative Group carefully considered a range of different options and came to the conclusion that a 5% rise across the board was the fairest way of addressing the inflation issue. This decision had been agreed in principle by this Group back in June but was being reiterated as it was being brought with a package of other measures that the PDG was being asked to consider.

·       Feedback supported a need and desire to expand permit options to include a sole day permit option.

·       Further research was also to be undertaken around different permit options that could encourage further take up of spaces in the Multi Storey Car Park and this work would come back to the PDG.

·       In terms of the day permit charges, there was an error in the paperwork. A correction was needed to show that, in Appendix 2, an annual day permit, would be offered at £331. It would also be offered at a half yearly rate of at £180, quarterly at £100 and monthly at £33.

·       Finally, representatives from Crediton and Culllompton had asked for an additional three days of free parking during the year to support local events. The Council did currently offer five free car parking days to residents during November and December to support Christmas shopping initiatives. The Car Parking Consultative Group had requested these additional days as an extension to the existing Christmas offer.

The Group then received a presentation which supported the information provided at this meeting and detailed the work which had taken place prior to the recommendations coming forward.

Discussion took place regarding:

·       It was felt that Tiverton was benefitting from the car parking permit proposals more than Crediton and Cullompton and there needed to be parity across the whole district including the offers made to market traders and potential business permits. It was confirmed that the Car Parking Consultative Group had looked at this and would be exploring it further.

·       Officers were thanked for providing the necessary corrections and the public questioner indicated that he was satisfied a corrected report would be going forward to the Cabinet for approval.

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that:

1.     It reviews the proposals initially made by the Car Parking Consultative Group regarding car permits and the considerations of the Economy and Assets Policy Development Group and approves:

·       The reintroduction of a day permit option for car park users. This to be available to use for all residents across the District.

·       To receive a further report from the Car Parking Consultative Group, to be first considered by the Economy and Assets PDG, regarding new ideas and proposals in relation to new potential parking permits that could be used in car parks across the District.

·       This to include the development of proposals around a new business permit for the Multi Storey Car Park (MSCP), Tiverton and to offer a potential reduction in the cost of permits located on level 1 of the MSCP, as highlighted in this report.

·       Future consideration be given by the Car Parking Consultative Group to extend free parking for market traders to other market towns.

2.     A 5% rise for Car Parking charges to be introduced as part of the budget setting process for 2026/2027. This has been proposed by the Car Parking Consultative Group and then carefully considered by the Economy and Assets PDG.

3.     The granting of additional free parking days for Crediton and Cullompton Town Councils to designate as they see fit to support their town centre activity.

(Proposed by Cllr J Buczkowski and seconded by Cllr L Knight)

Reason for the decision

The report proposes measures to generate additional income to support the delivery of parking services for the Council.It also aligns with the Corporate Plan to deliver sustainable parking options within communities. Therefore, supporting economy and growth within the district.

Note: * Report previously circulated.