Following a call-in to Scrutiny the Cabinet to reconsider the recommendations of the Managing the Environment Policy Development Group regarding car parking charges.
Decision:
RESOLVED that:
a) Subject to a day rate of £2.00 being introduced in all 3 of the long stay car parks – St Saviours/High Street, Crediton between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Station Road, Cullompton between 8.00am and 6.00pm and the Multi-Storey Car Park, Tiverton between 6.00am and 8.00pm, the recommendations of the Policy Development Group be approved.
b) These recommendations will form the basis of the new off street Parking Places Order (Road Traffic Act 1984) which will be advertised and consulted upon and therefore delegated authority be given to the Head of Finance in consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment to act on feedback from this consultation process and agree any necessary amendments required before finalising the 2016/17 car park charges to be incorporated into the final order.
Minutes:
The Cabinet at its meeting on 17 December 2015 made the following decision that
a) Subject to: the parking charges in the Multi-Storey Car Park in Tiverton, and the car parks in Station Road, Cullompton and St Saviours Way, Crediton being raised to £2 for 24 hours or part of; the recommendations of the Policy Development Group be approved.
b) These recommendations will form the basis of the new off street Parking Places Order (Road Traffic Act 1984) which will be advertised and consulted upon and therefore delegated authority be given to the Head of Finance in consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment to act on feedback from this consultation process and agree any necessary amendments required before finalising the 2016/17 car park charges to be incorporated into the final order.
This decision had been called in to the Scrutiny Committee by Councillor Mrs J Roach supported by Councillors R M Deed, R J Dolley, F W Letch, J L Smith, Mrs N Woollatt and R Wright for the following reasons:
The Scrutiny Committee had met on 4 January 2016 and recommended that the Cabinet review its decision.
The Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee outlined the reasoning behind the call in stating that it was not a challenge to the authority but a way of reflecting the work that had taken place by the Car Parking Working Group and the need to capitalise on the success of the pricing in the Multi-Storey Car Park (MSCP) which was felt to have increased footfall in the town.
Consideration was given to:
· Whether the higher the cost the less people would use the facility
· Free car parking for Councillors
· The current income from the MSCP and the popularity of a £1 for 5 hours, allowing local people to shop at their leisure
· The additional free parking proposed in various car parks
· The cost of parking in car parks in other districts in Devon
· Consideration of discounts for some permit holders
The Cabinet Member for the Environment stated that he had considered the comments made by the Scrutiny Committee and other Members regarding this issue and felt that a day rate of £2 was very good value for money for the long stay car parks in the area and urged Members to approve this amendment to the recommendations put forward by the Policy Development Group.
Discussion followed with regard to:
· The cost of parking in other areas of the county
· Maintenance costs in the MSCP
· Concerns regarding the effect on footfall in the main towns
· The publication of a revised Traffic Road Order
RESOLVED that:
a) Subject to a day rate of £2.00 being introduced in all 3 of the long stay car parks – St Saviours/High Street, Crediton between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Station Road, Cullompton between 8.00am and 6.00pm and the Multi-Storey Car Park, Tiverton between 6.00am and 8.00pm, the recommendations of the Policy Development Group be approved.
b) These recommendations will form the basis of the new off street Parking Places Order (Road Traffic Act 1984) which will be advertised and consulted upon and therefore delegated authority be given to the Head of Finance in consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment to act on feedback from this consultation process and agree any necessary amendments required before finalising the 2016/17 car park charges to be incorporated into the final order.
(Proposed by Cllr N V Davey and seconded by Cllr R L Stanley)
Notes:
i) Cllr R J Chesterton requested that his vote against the decision be recorded;
ii) Original Papers circulated copy attached to minutes.
Supporting documents: