Agenda item

Following the meeting on 22 August, the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee had called in the following decision of the Cabinet

a)            the proposed new tariffs for each of the council owned car parks in Mid Devon be approved as detailed in the annexe to the Working Group report apart from overnight charges from 1800 - 0800 which are to revert to being free of charge, with the exception of Tiverton Multi Storey and Phoenix House car parks (which will remain 24 hour charging).

for the following reasons:

·         The decision is illogical

·         The decision diminishes legitimate income

·         The decision goes against the balanced recommendation of the Car Parking Working Group

The Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 2 September 2019

RESOLVED that the Cabinet be requested to reconsider the decision to abolish night time car parking charges. (Minute attached)

Following the meeting on 22 August, the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee had called in the following decision of the Cabinet

a)            the proposed new tariffs for each of the council owned car parks in Mid Devon be approved as detailed in the annexe to the Working Group report apart from overnight charges from 1800 - 0800 which are to revert to being free of charge, with the exception of Tiverton Multi Storey and Phoenix House car parks (which will remain 24 hour charging).

For the following reasons:

·         The decision is illogical

·         The decision diminishes legitimate income

·         The decision goes against the balanced recommendation of the Car Parking Working Group

The Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 2 September 2019 resolved that the Cabinet be requested to reconsider the decision to abolish night time car parking charges.

The Cabinet had before it the relevant *report and a copy of the minute from the Scrutiny Committee on 2 September 2019.  The Chairman stated that there was a need to reconsider the recommendations of the working group and the Economy Policy Development Group in light of the discussions held at the Scrutiny Committee. 

He reflected on the initial decision by the Cabinet at its meeting on 22 August 2019, where the Cabinet had agreed with the new tariffs for each of the Council owned car parks but did consider in the majority of council owned car parks that overnight charging should cease, with the effect of reducing the Council’s income from car parking by £28k a year.  He felt that, given the Council’s substantial in year budget deficit coupled with the recent decision to agree significant capital investment in the MSCP, that it would be inappropriate to forgo this sum.  He considered the requirement that a Council cannot use net income from car parking charges to support revenue expenditure across the Council, even with any increased income no breach of legislation would take place.  Capital expenditure had already been proposed for the car parks which would extinguish any net income gained over the period.  He felt that the recommendation of the working group to purchase a permit for overnight parking for £100 per year which was less than 30p per night, offered good value.

Consideration was given to:

·         The original decision which some felt was reasonable and sound seeing that there had been a recommendation to increase tariffs during the day time

·         The need for any net income to be used to maintain and/or make improvements to Council owned car parks

·         The costs of running the car parks and the amount of income received per annum

·         Parking in William Street car park

·         Free overnight parking would alleviate on street parking problems

·         The views of the Scrutiny Committee

·         The need  to encourage the purchase of permits by better advertising

It was therefore RESOLVED that:

a)    The proposed new tariffs for each of the Council owned car parks in Mid Devon be approved as per the annexe in the Working Group Report

b)    Overnight parking permits be amended to offer greater value for money for residents and that the annual one-off charge be set at £100.  Also approved is an option to pay by monthly direct debit at £10 per month, with a one-month cancellation period.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Note:  *Report and minute previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.