Decision details

The Interim Commissioner for Environment presented the Implementation of Parking Policy report.

Following discussion and consideration of the item;

Councillor Schneiderman, seconded by Councillor Dr. Devra Kay moved the following amendments:

1.            To the proposed April 2015 date for implementation Emission Based Permits:

That in the interest of fairness the proposal is postponed for a year in order to give residents’, if they so wish, the opportunity to change their car for a lower emission based one or change their behaviour.

The amendment was put to the vote. Votes were recorded as follows:

The amendment was declared lost.

2.            To paragraph 1.12, page 22:

That any changes to the charges of the bays are postponed pending the chance to look at the data on how people are applying for the suspension bays.

The Infrastructure and Parking Manager explained that rational for changing from the flat rate arose due to a legal challenge from one of the utility companies. As a consequence officers have reviewed the basis of the current charges and this has included identifying all relevant tasks involved in dealing with a successful bay suspension application. This exercise has established that the costs involved in processing and implementing an application is significantly higher than the current charge for a one day suspension; however the on-going daily rate currently charged is higher than the costs incurred. Based on this finding the charge has been adjusted to ensure that costs are appropriately recovered and as such will stand up to scrutiny when and if challenged in the future. .

In order to assist members in understanding the initial application charge he further explained the different elements involved in processing and implementing a successful application

·                     A review of the application received and checking the maps to confirm that there is bay/bays at the required location and hence whether a suspension is required.

·                     Reviewing the impact of suspending the number of bays requested

·                     Calculating the applicable charge based on the number of bays and number of days the suspension will apply

·                     Providing the cost to the applicant in writing

·                     Processing the payment

·                     Preparing and issuing instructions to the contractor to produce and place the suspension on site

·                     The contractor manufacturers the required signs specific to the location

·                     The contractor travels to the relevant site and installs the signage

·                     The contractor returns to the site at the end of the suspension period and removes the signage

·                     The enforcement contractor monitors the site for compliance during the suspension period

·                     The enforcement contractor enforces any identified non-compliance and/or adjusts the signage where it has been vandalised

In light of the above, Councillor Schneiderman withdrew his amendment

Recommendation 3 as set out in the report was withdrawn as Committee requested further detail relating to the actual costs of carrying out the proposed works. The Committee requested that this is  brought back to the next meeting of the Committee with details of the following:

• The list of proposed roads/footways

• The cost of carrying out necessary works
• What potential impact (if any) the proposals will have.

RESOLVED -

1.            That the Environment Committee consider and recommend the parking permit charges set out in this report to be presented to Policy and Resources Committee for approval.

2.            That the Environment Committee agrees the action plan for all activity to implement the new Parking Policy.

3.            That the Environment Committee considers the proposed capital investment that is not currently included in any agreed capital programme or highways capital programme and agree to request additional funding of £1.57m from the Policy and Resources Committee.

Votes were recorded as follows:

The recommendation was declare carried.

4.            That the Environment Committee note the proposed new parking client team structure and agree its implementation in accordance with the Council’s current HR policies.

Additional Recommendation

5.            The a report is  brought back to the next meeting of the Committee with details of the following:

• The list of proposed roads/footways

• The cost of carrying out necessary works
• What potential impact (if any) the proposals will have.

The recommendations were declared carried.