Agenda item

To consider the attached report of the Head of Commercial Services.

The Head of Commercial Services presented the report on the Review of On and Off-Street Parking Charges.

Members were advised that consultation would need to be undertaken in respect of recommendations 7 (with parish councils) and 8 (with permit holders) of the report. 

Members expressed concern over the lack of information on the alternative proposals for the permit holders that would be affected by the removal of Deal sea front as a parking option from the resident permits scheme. Members questioned where displaced residents would park and what the impact of the displacement would be on residents in other areas. It was suggested that any consultation should also be with those affected by the displacement of parking from the sea front.

The absence of evidence to support the benefit to tourism from removing Deal sea front from the resident permits scheme was also cited as a concern for justifying the decision.

Councillor M Rose highlighted the issue of the unfairness of hotelier parking permit books that allowed visitors to park for a lower cost than residents in the same spaces.

The impact of proposals on local businesses was raised and the need to consult with them on changes that could affect them. In respect of the proposals to make Albany Place in Dover a free car park, the location and accessibility of the car park was raised.

Members discussed whether there were suitable alternatives to introducing charging in rural car parking charges, with options such as limiting duration of stay suggested to encourage turnover.

In response to a question from Councillor J Rose, the Head of Commercial Services advised that he would investigate if the Council owned the car park near Dover Castle.  

In response to a request from the Chairman, Councillor L A Keen, the Democratic Services Manager explained the Call-In process. Members were advised that the Chairman and Spokesperson for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee could exercise call-in on their own and that any three non-executive members could also call-in a decision.

It was moved by Councillor T A Bond and duly seconded by Councillor S H Beer that

“The Chairman, Councillor L A Keen, be requested to call-in Cabinet Decision CAB112(h) on the grounds that

(a)       There was no evidence to support the need for this change of policy or the impact on tourism and resident parking.

(b)       That no thought has been given to alternative options or the harm caused by the displaced resident parking on Deal residents.

(c)       That there has been insufficient consultation with those affected.”

Councillor M Rose, duly seconded by Councillor R S Walkden, moved the following AMENDMENT

(d)       That the impact of the hotelier’s books be reviewed given the discrepancy in the cost of overnight visitor parking compared to the cost of overnight resident parking.

On being put to the vote, the AMENDMENT was CARRIED.

The Chairman, Councillor L A Keen, indicated in response to the request from the members of the committee that she was prepared to use her powers to call-in Cabinet Decision CAB112(h).

On being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED:       (a)   That recommendations 1 to 7 in the report be noted.

(b)   That the Chairman, Councillor L A Keen, be requested to call-in Cabinet Decision CAB112(h) on the grounds that

(i)         There was no evidence to support the need for this change of policy or the impact on tourism and resident parking.

(ii)        That no thought has been given to alternative options or the harm caused by the displaced resident parking on Deal residents.

(iii)      That there has been insufficient consultation with those affected.

(iv)      That the impact of the hotelier’s books be reviewed given the discrepancy in the cost of overnight visitor parking compared to the cost of overnight resident parking.