Agenda item

To receive a report from the Environment & Enforcement Manager and the Head of People, Governance and Waste considering a recommendation to Cabinet that it amends the Mid Devon (Off Street Parking Places) Order 2016 (the “OSPPO”) as set out in the report.

The Group received a report * from the Head of People, Governance and Waste and the Environment and Enforcement Manager considering recommendations to the Cabinet that the Mid Devon (Off Street Parking Places) Order 2016 (the “OSPPO”) be amended.

The following was highlighted in the report:

·       These proposals would, after appropriate consultation, enable implementation of restrictions and subsequent enforcement to be conducted in the areas of Saint George's Court and Wellbrook Green in Tiverton.

·       Informal discussions with the Highway Authority had been undertaken and they had indicated they would not object to the recommendations being put forward within this report.

·       Residents and Ward Members had raised concerns regarding ongoing parking issues at both St. George's Court and Wellbrook Green in Tiverton. These had included impeded access and egress as well as potential obstruction to emergency service vehicles. To address these issues, the report presented this evening proposed the introduction of parking restrictions that would make contraventions in both of those areas enforceable. At present, the absence of any restrictions was contributing to the persistence of problems in those areas.

Discussion took place regarding:

·       School drop-offs and pick-ups remained a problem in terms of the amount of extended time people were parked. This sort of detail would need to be worked through during the consultation.

·       The number of spaces available and was this sufficient for local need?

·       Concerns as to how school drops could be regulated.

·       The detail was yet to be worked out. The consultation would be helpful in trying to achieve this.

·       Any references to St George’s Place within the report needed to be corrected to say St George’s Court.

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that:

1.     On being satisfied that the statutory grounds for amending and varying the OSPPO are met, as detailed in the Report, to allow and authorise the Operations Manager for Street Scene to commence statutory consultation for the following proposed amendments to the OSPPO:

·       To incorporate within the OSPPO parking restrictions, as defined in the report within the area known as ‘St Georges Court’, in Tiverton. This includes entering into a Service Level Agreement with Tiverton Town Council (TTC) to incorporate three permit bays currently owned by them into the OSPPO to enable enforcement by Mid Devon District Council (“the Council”) in respect of these bays.

·       To amend the OSPPO to incorporate 18 spaces within the area known as ‘Wellbrook Green’ in Tiverton for the purpose of resident only parking.

2.     That Delegated Authority be granted to the Director of Legal, HR & Governance (Monitoring Officer) to draft the order amending the above OSPPO including making the necessary required minor amendments to go out to consultation.

3.  In the event that there are no material objections to the proposed amendments and variations as determined by the Operations Manager for Street Scene and Open Spaces, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement, to then grant delegated authority to the Director of Legal, HR & Governance (Monitoring Officer) to make the order amending the OSPPO as recommended in the Report.

(Proposed by Cllr J Cairney and seconded by Cllr M Farrell)

Reason for the decision:

The OSPPO was designed to accurately reflect the Council’s parking service and was a legal requirement that allowed the Council to provide such services.

The Council was at risk of not being able to enforce parking contraventions within new locations and in respect of electric vehicle parking, which could result in reputational damage for not taking appropriate action against offenders.

Note: (i) * Report previously circulated

(ii) Cllr M Farrell declared a personal interest in that he was a member of Tiverton Town Council whose premises were adjacent to St George’s Court.