Agenda item

15.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report seeking Charity Trustee approval to implement charges / restrictions for the benefit of park users needing to visit Endcliffe park by car by installing pay and display machines, signage and remarking the parking bays.

15.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet in their role as the Endcliffe Park Charity Trustees:-  

(a)

approves the introduction of the 3 hour car parking restriction, the associated Traffic Regulation Order required to enforce this, and the charging policy outlined in the report within Endcliffe Park;  

(b)

approves the installation of a pay and display machine, signage and the marking out of designated parking bays in the area shown on the plan attached to the report;

(c)

subject to obtaining the approval of the Charity Commission, approves the use of the Council’s Parking Services section to manage, monitor and enforce the parking charges and to maintain all signage and equipment and to pay the costs of these goods and services to Parking Services from the Charity account;

(d)

agrees that any net income generated from car parking charges will be reinvested back into the Park for environmental upkeep and improvement for the benefit of its users and with the object of improving the Park; and

(e)

delegates authority to the Director of Legal and Governance to apply to the Charity Commission for an order to authorise payment from the Charity to Parking Services as a “connected person”.

15.3

Reasons for Decision

15.3.1

Introducing the charges and the restrictions outlined within this report are viewed as being in the best overall interests of the Charity and Park users.  The proposal will ensure that more parking is reserved for those wishing to enjoy Endcliffe Park and the porter valley for outdoor recreation. 

15.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

15.4.1

Not implementing this proposal would mean that the car park will continue to be used by commuters. Monitoring shows that commuter car parking can be as high as 70% of weekday use. It would not be practical to close the car park area off without affecting Park users.

15.4.2

Using another provider other than Parking Services to carry out installation and monitoring of the parking service has been considered but discounted.  Parking Services, as part of Sheffield City Council, has a best value process in place for the supply, installation and monitoring of equipment in addition to ensuring that Council services obtain best value and no additional fees are added by Parking Services.  Therefore the Charity receives the full benefit of this best value exercise.  The Charity does not have its own employees who could carry out this function.   Parking Services has access to contracts that supply pricing for local authorities that is much more competitive than smaller private sector operators due to its size and purchasing power. For example, the pay and display machines and cash collection contracts. These are passed on at cost. Also public sector parking enforcement is better regulated than private enforcement. Private operators can choose whether to sign up to a code of practice from an industry body, where local authority enforcement is regulated by legislation, and local authorities have to be regulated by an independent body, PATROL. This ensures the Charity provide a fair, consistent enforcement process.

15.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

15.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

15.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Laraine Manley, Executive Director, Place

15.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing

15.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report seeking Charity Trustee approval to implement charges / restrictions for the benefit of park users needing to visit Endcliffe Park by car by installing pay and display machines, signage and remarking the parking bays.

15.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet in their role as the Endcliffe Park Charity Trustees:-  

(a)

approves the introduction of the 3 hour car parking restriction, the associated Traffic Regulation Order required to enforce this, and the charging policy outlined in the report, within Endcliffe Park; 

(b)

approves the installation of a pay and display machine, signage and the marking out of designated parking bays in the area shown on the plan attached to the report;

(c)

subject to obtaining the approval of the Charity Commission, approves the use of the Council’s Parking Services section to manage, monitor and enforce the parking charges and to maintain all signage and equipment and to pay the costs of these goods and services to Parking Services from the Charity account;

(d)

agrees that any net income generated from car parking charges will be reinvested back into the Park for environmental upkeep and improvement for the benefit of its users and with the object of improving the Park; and

(e)

delegates authority to the Director of Legal and Governance to apply to the Charity Commission for an order to authorise payment from the Charity to Parking Services as a “connected person”.

15.3

Reasons for Decision

15.3.1

Introducing the charges and the restrictions outlined within this report are viewed as being in the best overall interests of the Charity and Park users.  The proposal will ensure that more parking is reserved for those wishing to enjoy Endcliffe Park and the porter valley for outdoor recreation. 

15.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

15.4.1

Not implementing this proposal would mean that the car park will continue to be used by commuters. Monitoring shows that commuter car parking can be as high as 70% of weekday use. It would not be practical to close the car park area off without affecting Park users.

15.4.2

Using another provider other than Parking Services to carry out installation and monitoring of the parking service has been considered but discounted.  Parking Services, as part of Sheffield City Council, has a best value process in place for the supply, installation and monitoring of equipment in addition to ensuring that Council services obtain best value and no additional fees are added by Parking Services.  Therefore the Charity receives the full benefit of this best value exercise.  The Charity does not have its own employees who could carry out this function.   Parking Services has access to contracts that supply pricing for local authorities that is much more competitive than smaller private sector operators due to its size and purchasing power. For example, the pay and display machines and cash collection contracts. These are passed on at cost. Also public sector parking enforcement is better regulated than private enforcement. Private operators can choose whether to sign up to a code of practice from an industry body, where local authority enforcement is regulated by legislation, and local authorities have to be regulated by an independent body, PATROL. This ensures the Charity provide a fair, consistent enforcement process.