Agenda item

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

The Head of Commercial Services presented the report on the extension of the parking charge period and the review of on-street parking charges. The report sought agreement from the Cabinet for the parking charges for both on and off-street parking to be extended by 1 hour (from 5pm to 6pm).

Members questioned the reasoning behind the extension of charging from 5pm to 6pm given anecdotal evidence that the car parks, particularly in Dover, were not full during these hours. That the charging hours had been reduced in 2015 to benefit businesses was also raised. The Head of Commercial Services advised that there would be consultation with local businesses, but it was not expected that there would be any impact on the evening economy because of this change.

The £12,000 cost of making Albany Car Park free to park in was also questioned.

The issue of rural car parking charges was raised and there was concern expressed as to whether urban car parks were in effect subsidising the use of rural car parks. Members were advised that there was consultation being undertaken with the rural parish councils and this would be reported back to the Cabinet.

Councillor N J Collor advised that automatic number plate recognition to monitor parking on the zig-zag lines at schools and the introduction of additional electric charging points were projects that the additional parking revenue raised by the extension of the hours would fund.

Councillor P D Jull moved, duly seconded by Councillor R S Walkden that the Cabinet not proceed with recommendation 1 of the report on the grounds that the report contains no, or inadequate or irrelevant, information why changing the end charging time is necessary or desirable for financial or operational reasons to form the basis for an informed decision. In 2015 professional consultants recommended that the end charging time be moved earlier to 5pm. No reasons are given why this recommendation is no longer valid. No separate figure for the forecast financial impact of this change is provided. No evidence is provided that there is any shortage of spaces after 5pm that an increase in turnover would rectify. The Council’s own shopping survey shows that competition for trade is not with neighbouring town centre but with out of town shopping centres such as Westwood Cross and White Cliffs Business Park where parking is free all day.

Councillor P D Jull subsequently agreed to amend his proposal so that it be taken into account by the Cabinet when the results of the consultation were known and that recommendations 2 and 3 of the report be recommended for approval.

RESOLVED: That it be recommended to the Cabinet:

(a)   That it not proceed with extending the charging period by 1 hour from 0900-1700 to 0900-1800 for all On and Off-Street Parking Places on the grounds that the report contains no, or inadequate or irrelevant, information why changing the end charging time is necessary or desirable for financial or operational reasons to form the basis for an informed decision. In 2015 professional consultants recommended that the end charging time be moved earlier to 5pm. No reasons are given why this recommendation is no longer valid. No separate figure for the forecast financial impact of this change is provided. No evidence is provided that there is any shortage of spaces after 5pm that an increase in turnover would rectify. The Council’s own shopping survey shows that competition for trade is not with neighbouring town centre but with out of town shopping centres such as Westwood Cross and White Cliffs Business Park where parking is free all day.

The Cabinet is requested to take these points into account when considering the results of the consultation.

(b)   That the proposed on-street parking and permit charges, as set out at Appendix 1 of the report, be approved.

(c)   That the Transport and Parking Services Manager be authorised to take all necessary legal and procedural processes to give effect to recommendation (b), including the giving of notices, the making or amendment of any orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Transport and Licensing, the consideration of any representations received during the consultation process.