Agenda item

Report of the Chairman of the Resident Parking Permit Scheme Task Group and Corporate Director Resources and Section 151 Officer.

The Chairman of the Resident Parking Permit Scheme Task Group and Corporate Director Resources and Section 151 Officer submitted a report detailing the findings of the Resident Parking Permit Scheme Task Group.

The Neighbourhood Services and Community Safety Portfolio Holder thanked the members of the task group and the officers who had supported them for the considerable work and effort they had put into the consideration of Resident Parking Permits.

Councillor Berry then provided a brief overview regarding the current position of car parking charges stating that on the car parks where charges applied, the amount of those charges would remain the same but those paying £3.50 for an all-daytime ticket would now be able to park for up to 24 hours instead of from only 8am to 6pm.

The Resident Parking Permit Scheme was set to change on 1 April 2020. Permits will cost £30 and will be valid for two years and the new permits would allow residents to park for up to three hours on a long stay car park; an increase on the current two hour limit. Permits would be valid for use once per day only and the use of the permit in a different car park on the same day would not be allowed.

Existing permits purchased between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2020 would remain valid for the first two years of the scheme. Permits bought before 1 April 2018 could not be used after 1 April 2020 and would need to be renewed.

A resident who has purchased a permit and then changes their vehicle will now be able to have the permit transferred to their new vehicle on payment of a fee of £12.

The consideration and implementation of any charges and the issue of parking permits as regards to Blue Badge Holders would be delayed as the changes proposed by Cabinet were included in a draft Road Traffic Order which was being published and advertised and included a public consultation. In his capacity as the appropriate portfolio holder, he would consider all representations that were made, including the recommendations of the task group, at the appropriate time and incorporate them in a portfolio holder report.

Decision

Recommendations 1-5 In line with Councillor Berry’s comments above in respect of Blue Badge Holders, Cabinet agreed to defer recommendations 1-5 until the culmination of the consultation.

Recommendation 6 – that permits be valid for use in more than one car park in the same day – was not accepted.

Recommendation 7, relating to the purchase of replacement permit following a change of a vehicle within 6 months of purchasing the permit, was accepted but in a form that was more advantageous to residents as described above so that residents had an opportunity to have the permit transferred to their new vehicle on payment of a fee of £12, irrespective of when the permit was purchased.

Recommendation 8 – a proposal to allow the purchase of a permit for a second car at a reduced cost – was not accepted.

Recommendation 9 – Cabinet agreedthat the revised Resident Parking Permit Scheme be publicised widely throughout the borough so that all residents were aware of it and had the opportunity to take part in it.

Recommendation 10 – that the implementation of those recommendations agreed by Cabinet be reviewed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee after 12 months - was approved.

Recommendation 11 – Cabinet agreed that the impact of the changes to the Resident Parking Permit Scheme, including the impact of any changes made regarding Blue Badge holders, be reviewed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee two years after the revised scheme has come into operation.