To consider the submitted report setting out the recommendations of the Transport Working Party on the above.

The Council established the Productivity Improvement Programme (PIP) in October 2010 to identify significant savings and meet the financial challenges over the next four years.  The submitted report set out the PIP’s review of parking services.  The Council was requested to make recommendations to the Mayor and consider the funding for the investment of new equipment and services.

It was proposed by Councillor Excell and seconded by Councillor Hill:

(i)                 that the Mayor approve the recommendations of the Transport Working Party in respect of the outcome of the Parking Review identified below:

o       Clamp persistent PCN evaders who do not pay their fines – clamping to be implemented when there are over 5 outstanding fines unpaid on a vehicle.

o       Rent space to car washing and valeting services in car parks.

o       Increase the cost of parking permits for off street car parks by 10%.

o       Review of seasonal tariffs in relation to non seasonal tariff rates (being developed separately, and will be advertised in accordance with good practice for implementation from 1 January 2012).

o       Use mobile enforcement vehicles to enforce illegal parking at schools/bus stops and where necessary to improve safety.

o       Offer parking management solutions to private car park operators.

o       Differentiate off street parking charges related to location (being developed separately, and will be advertised in accordance with good practice for implementation from 1 January 2012).

o       Review options on provision of parking charges for disabled permit holders and charge a nominal administration fee of £20 for permits at renewal.

o       Charge skip providers the on street parking charges as well as the skip licence where located on chargeable spaces.

o       Introduce more on street parking areas (as proposed in Appendices 6 and 7 to the submitted report), subject to evidence of return on investment and details of payback period being to the satisfaction of the Executive Head of Finance, in consultation with the Executive Lead for Finance and Audit.

o       Review management options of on street and off street motorbike parking areas.

o       Provide additional commercial advertising hoarding space in car parks.

o       Pay on exit options in car parks if the business case shows a return on investment within four years.  Business case to be signed off by the Executive Head of Finance in consultation with the Executive Lead for Finance and Audit.

(ii)               that the Mayor be recommended to authorise the advertisement of Orders introducing paying parking places (parking meters) on highways as identified in Appendices 6 and 7 to the submitted report subject to evidence of return on investment and details of payback period being to the satisfaction of the Executive Head of Finance, in consultation with the Executive Lead for Finance and Audit;

(iii)             that the Mayor be recommended to authorise the Commissioner for Place and Environment, in consultation with the Executive Lead for Safer Communities and Transport, to consider any objections received and approve or reject the making of any such Orders;  and

(iv)              that, the Council approves the Council’s Capital Plan be amended to include up to £369,000 for the investment in new equipment and services, and that this is funded from prudential borrowing, as an invest to save project. This will be financed over a 10 year period from additional revenue provision of up to £47,000 per annum.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Stocks and seconded by Councillor Pentney (additional wording to (i) second bullet):

o       Rent space to car washing and valeting services in car parks, with priority being given to charities and social enterprises to deliver these services with no rental being levied on them.

On being put to the vote the amendment was declared lost.

The original motion was then put to the vote and declared carried.

At the meeting, the Mayor considered the recommendations of the Council in (i), (ii) and (iii) above, and the record of his decisions, together with further information, is attached to these minutes.