Agenda item

9.1

This report reviews the charges for parking permits, bay suspensions, parking dispensations and parking tariffs. The proposed changes will help to better manage parking demand and contribute to wider traffic management and environmental objectives.

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee:

1.     approves an increase in Pay and Display tariffs in the parking zones outside the city, as detailed in Appendix A, and that these be implemented as soon as practicable;

2.     approves an increase to City Centre Zone Pay and Display tariffs, as detailed in Appendix A, noting that parking in Carver Lane, Devonshire Green, Milton Street and West Street Lane car parks is for a maximum of 6 hours and the rates for Wicker Lane car park are per two hours, and that these tariffs be implemented as soon as practicable with the following amendment:

a.     that the City Centre discounted evening tariff, which is in place for Monday to Saturday of a £2 flat rate after 4.30pm (or £1.45 for up to 1 hour), be also applied to Sunday.

3.     approves changes to the permit pricing structure, as detailed in Appendix B of this report, and that these be implemented from 1st of April 2024;

4.     approves changes to the dispensation and bay suspension charges, as detailed in this report, and that these be implemented from 1st of April 2024;

5.     approves an increase to Pay and Display tariffs in Parks car parks, as detailed in Appendix A, and notes that tariffs relating to those car parks which fall within charitable trust property will require the consent of the Charity Trustee Sub-Committee, and that these be implemented as soon as practicable;

6.     approves a delegation to the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods Services, in consultation with the Committee Chair and Members of the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee, to make future changes to the parking fees and charges contained within this document, where this supports effective management of demand for parking and contributes to wider traffic management objectives (provided they are not increased by less than a whole 5 pence or an amount greater than the rate of Consumer Price Index plus 1% from the date they were last increased); and

7.     requests that officers in the parking services team work together with the Transport team to examine and review the green permit and zoning schemes and report findings and any recommendations for action or change to the appropriate committee.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

It is anticipated that the proposed tariff and fee changes set out in this

report will help by better managing parking demand in areas and at

times when demand is regularly and demonstrably outstripping supply.

9.3.2

It is therefore recommended that:

·       Pay and Display tariffs in the parking zones outside the city centre are increased, as detailed in Appendix A, and that these are implemented as soon as practicable.

·       City Centre Zone Pay and Display tariffs are increased, as detailed in Appendix A, and that these are implemented as soon as practicable.

·       Changes to the permit pricing structure, as detailed in Appendix B of this report be approved and be implemented from 1st of April 2024.

·       Changes to the dispensation and bay suspension charges, as detailed in this report, be approved and be implemented from 1^st April 2024.

·       Pay and Display tariffs in Parks car parks are increased, as detailed in Appendix A, and that these are implemented as soon as practicable.

·       The Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services has authority, in consultation with the Committee Chair and Members of the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee, to make future changes to the parking fees and charges contained within this document, where this supports effective management of demand for parking and contributes to wider traffic management objectives (provided they are not increased by less than a whole 5 pence or an amount greater than the rate of Consumer Price Index plus 1% from the date they were last increased).

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

The Council could maintain its current tariffs. This would not address the excess demand parking issues outlined in this report, nor enable other positive outcomes that may arise, such as better air quality.

9.4.2

The Council could make higher and more widespread increases in tariffs, but, with the information available, these are not thought to be appropriate or proportionate to achieve the aims of the proposed increases.

9.4.3

The Council could reduce the number of permits allowed at each residential property to restrict demand. This general approach could have a disproportionate effect in certain Peripheral Parking Zones and as such this would need to be considered in greater detail on a Zone-by one basis.

9.1

The Parking Services Manager and Head of Street Scene Services presented a report that reviewed the parking fees and charges and proposed changes to the charges for parking permits, bay suspensions, parking dispensations and parking tariffs. The proposed changes would help to better manage parking demand and contribute to wider traffic management and environmental objectives.

9.2

Members requested that the green permit and zoning schemes be reviewed as the number of green permits had increased significantly which was impacting on the availability of on street parking in the city centre. 

9.3

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee:

1.     approves an increase in Pay and Display tariffs in the parking zones outside the city, as detailed in Appendix A, and that these be implemented as soon as practicable;

2.     approves an increase to City Centre Zone Pay and Display tariffs, as detailed in Appendix A, noting that parking in Carver Lane, Devonshire Green, Milton Street and West Street Lane car parks is for a maximum of 6 hours and the rates for Wicker Lane car park are per two hours, and that these tariffs be implemented as soon as practicable with the following amendment:

a.     that the City Centre discounted evening tariff, which is in place for Monday to Saturday of a £2 flat rate after 4.30pm (or £1.45 for up to 1 hour), be also applied to Sunday.

3.     approves changes to the permit pricing structure, as detailed in Appendix B of this report, and that these be implemented from 1st of April 2024;

4.     approves changes to the dispensation and bay suspension charges, as detailed in this report, and that these be implemented from 1st of April 2024;

5.     approves an increase to Pay and Display tariffs in Parks car parks, as detailed in Appendix A, and notes that tariffs relating to those car parks which fall within charitable trust property will require the consent of the Charity Trustee Sub-Committee, and that these be implemented as soon as practicable;

6.     approves a delegation to the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods Services, in consultation with the Committee Chair and Members of the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee, to make future changes to the parking fees and charges contained within this document, where this supports effective management of demand for parking and contributes to wider traffic management objectives (provided they are not increased by less than a whole 5 pence or an amount greater than the rate of Consumer Price Index plus 1% from the date they were last increased); and

7.     requests that officers in the parking services team work together with the Transport team to examine and review the green permit and zoning schemes and report findings and any recommendations for action or change to the appropriate committee.

9.4

Reasons for Decision

9.4.1

It is anticipated that the proposed tariff and fee changes set out in this

report will help by better managing parking demand in areas and at

times when demand is regularly and demonstrably outstripping supply.

9.4.2

It is therefore recommended that:

·       Pay and Display tariffs in the parking zones outside the city centre are increased, as detailed in Appendix A, and that these are implemented as soon as practicable.

·       City Centre Zone Pay and Display tariffs are increased, as detailed in Appendix A, and that these are implemented as soon as practicable.

·       Changes to the permit pricing structure, as detailed in Appendix B of this report be approved and be implemented from 1st of April 2024.

·       Changes to the dispensation and bay suspension charges, as detailed in this report, be approved and be implemented from 1^st April 2024.

·       Pay and Display tariffs in Parks car parks are increased, as detailed in Appendix A, and that these are implemented as soon as practicable.

·       The Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services has authority, in consultation with the Committee Chair and Members of the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee, to make future changes to the parking fees and charges contained within this document, where this supports effective management of demand for parking and contributes to wider traffic management objectives (provided they are not increased by less than a whole 5 pence or an amount greater than the rate of Consumer Price Index plus 1% from the date they were last increased).

9.5

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.5.1

The Council could maintain its current tariffs. This would not address the excess demand parking issues outlined in this report, nor enable other positive outcomes that may arise, such as better air quality.

9.5.2

The Council could make higher and more widespread increases in tariffs, but, with the information available, these are not thought to be appropriate or proportionate to achieve the aims of the proposed increases.

9.5.3

The Council could reduce the number of permits allowed at each residential property to restrict demand. This general approach could have a disproportionate effect in certain Peripheral Parking Zones and as such this would need to be considered in greater detail on a Zone-by one basis.