To consider the Mayor’s response to the Council objections to the Parking Strategy 2016-2021 as set out in the submitted report (Policy Framework).

Further to the Council meeting held on 22 September 2016, members considered the submitted report on the Mayor’s response to the objections raised by the Council on the Parking Strategy 2016-2021.

Councillor Excell proposed and Councillor King seconded a motion as set out below:

(i)         that the Torbay Council Parking Strategy 2016-2021, as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be adopted;

(ii)        that the Parking Operations Panel and Members involvement in the decision making process be reviewed after one year;  and

(iii)       that the Executive Head of Business Services be requested to explore other forms of camera technology, other than mobile camera enforcement vehicles, for example putting cameras on crossing patrol lollipops or permanent cameras outside schools (which would be funded by the schools) to address concerns about public safety, in particular road safety risks to children outside school entrances.

During the debate Councillor Thomas (D) proposed and Councillor Robson seconded an amendment to the motion as follows:

(i)         that the Council considers that the Mayor is attempting, within his proposed Parking Strategy (a Policy Framework document), to fetter his or a subsequent leader’s discretion to make a decision to use mobile technology, which also results in an operational approach rather than at a strategic level.  Therefore, the Council amends the Mayor’s proposed Parking Policy and adopts the Officer recommendation (as set out in (ii) below) to enable the Executive to introduce appropriate technology should they chose to do so;

(ii)        that the Torbay Council Parking Strategy 2016-2021, as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be adopted, except that the phrase “However, this Strategy does not support the use of mobile enforcement cameras” should be deleted on page 15 of the strategy, under the section marked ‘Fair Enforcement’, and replaced with the following statement :-

            “In particular the use of mobile enforcement cameras can improve road safety for children outside school entrances and reduce the road safety risks presented to public transport users. Strict operating procedures should be applied to the use of any mobile technology to ensure that fair enforcement is undertaken and the law abiding motorist is not penalised.”

(iii)       that the Parking Operations Panel and Members involvement in the decision making process be reviewed after one year;  and

(iii)       That the Executive Head of Business Services be requested to explore other forms of camera technology, other than mobile camera enforcement vehicles, for example putting cameras on crossing patrol lollipops or permanent cameras outside schools (which would be funded by the schools) to address concerns about public safety, in particular road safety risks to children outside school entrances.

A recorded vote was taken on the amendment.  The voting was taken by roll call as follows:  For: Councillors Barnby, Bent, Bye, Carter, Cunningham, Darling (M), Darling (S), Doggett, Ellery, Haddock, Hill, Lewis, Morey, Morris, O’Dwyer, Parrott, Pentney, Robson, Sanders, Stockman, Stocks, Stringer, Stubley, Sykes, Thomas (D), Thomas (J), Tyerman and Winfield (28);  Against:  Mayor Oliver; Councillors Amil, Excell, Manning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93

To consider the submitted report setting out the proposed Parking Strategy for 2016-2021 (Policy Framework).

The Council considered a review of the Council’s Parking Strategy (as set out in the submitted report).  The review updated the strategy taking into account the Corporate Plan and Local Transport Plan and provided a consistent approach to the parking management and provision in Torbay.

Councillor Excell proposed and Councillor King seconded a motion as set out below:

(i)         that the Torbay Council Parking Strategy 2016-2021, as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be adopted;  and

(ii)        that the Parking Operations Panel and Members involvement in the decision making process be reviewed after one year.

During the debate Councillor Thomas (D) proposed and Councillor Lewis seconded an objection to the motion as follows:

that the Council formally objects to the Parking Strategy 2016-2021 on the basis that:

i)          the Council is concerned that public safety, in particular road safety risks to children outside school entrances, has not been given sufficient priority.  Therefore, the Mayor reconsiders the Officer recommendation as set out below:

(i)         That the Torbay Council Parking Strategy 2016-2021, as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be adopted, except that the phrase “However, this Strategy does not support the use of mobile enforcement cameras” should be deleted on page 15, under the section marked ‘Fair Enforcement’, and replaced with the following statement:-

            “In particular the use of mobile enforcement cameras can improve road safety for children outside school entrances and reduce the road safety risks presented to public transport users. Strict operating procedures should be applied to the use of any mobile technology to ensure that fair enforcement is undertaken and the law abiding motorist is not penalised.”

(ii)        That the Parking Operations Panel and Members involvement in the decision making process be reviewed after one year.

In accordance with the Constitution at F4.9, the Council therefore requires the Mayor to consider this objection by14 October 2016 either:

a)         submit a revision of the Parking Strategy 2016-2021 with the reasons for any amendments to the Council for its consideration;  or

b)        inform the Council of any disagreement that the Executive has with any of the Council’s objections and the Executive’s reasons for any such disagreement.

A recorded vote was taken on the objection. The voting was taken by roll call as follows:  For: Councillors Barnby, Bent, Brooks, Bye, Carter, Cunningham, Darling (M), Darling (S), Doggett, Haddock, Hill, Kingscote, Lewis, Mills, Morey, Pentney, Robson, Sanders, Stockman, Stocks, Sykes, Thomas (D), Thomas (J), Tolchard and Tyerman (25);  Abstain:  Mayor Oliver and Councillors Amil, Excell, King, Manning, Parrott and Stubley (7);  and Absent: Councillors Ellery, Morris, O’Dwyer, Stringer and Winfield (5). Therefore the objection was carried, the Mayor was required to consider the objection and publish his response by 14 October 2016 for consideration at the Council meeting on 27 October 2016.

To consider feedback from the Task-and-Finish Group on the review of parking and to identify any issues to be reported to the Mayor in his preparation of the draft Parking Strategy.

Councillor Stockman provided feedback from the task-and-finish group which had met to consider the Review of Parking which had been undertaken on the recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

Resolved:  that the following views be reported to the Mayor for his consideration in the preparation of his initial proposals for the emerging Parking Strategy:

The Overview and Scrutiny Board has considered the review of parking undertaken by the Executive Head of Business Services together with his recommendations.  The Board welcomes the majority of the recommendations and would wish to see them incorporated into the emerging Parking Strategy.  The Board accepts the views set out in the report from Councillor Stockman.

The Board’s task-and-finish group will continue to meet to discuss issues in relation to parking tariff and parking permit options, facilities for motorcycles, the potential increase in on-street parking meters, the proposals in relation to the Esplanade in Paignton, Controlled Parking Zones and park and ride facilities.  The task-and-finish group will also consider the wider issues in relation to parking in residential areas and the impact on the safe movement of traffic.

The Board will provide further feedback to the Mayor during his consultation on his Parking Strategy.

To consider the Review of Parking in Torbay and to make any recommendations for inclusion in the forthcoming Parking Strategy.

The Executive Head for Business Services presented his Review of the Parking Service which had been undertaken in order to inform the production of a revised Parking Strategy.  The Executive Head highlighted a range of the recommendations within the Review and explained that a revised Parking Strategy was due to be considered by the Council in July 2016.

Resolved:  that a Task-and-Finish Group be established to provide feedback on the recommendations within the Review of Parking and on the draft Parking Strategy once it is released for consultation.