Decision details

Review of Parking Fees and Charges 2012-13

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To consider the level of parking fees and charges for 2012/13

Decisions:

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

 

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Property Services to consider the Annual Review of Parking Fees and Charges for 2012/13.

 

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

 

 

Option 1: This option is to do nothing and to retain the existing fees and charges

Option 2: This option is to reduce some charges in a bid to increase usage

Option 3: This option is to approve increases to some fees and charges to achieve the 2012/13 Draft budget 

Advantages

 

This option limits the impact on parking usage and town centre businesses and trading

 

This option is likely to receive the most support through the consultation process

 

This option has the potential to reduce any further reductions in usage

 

 

Depending on the range of reduced prices this option could encourage greater use of car parks and increased use of local businesses and traders

 

This option is likely to receive the greatest support through the consultation process

 

This option allows parking fees and charges to meet the

financial target and to also potentially make an additional contribution to the 2012/13 budget process through surplus income

 

Disadvantages

 

This option is unlikely to achieve the required budget contribution through increased usage

 

 

This option is unlikely to achieve the required budget contribution as considerable additional usage would be required

 

 

This option could have a negative impact on short stay parking and town centre trading

 

This option is likely to receive the least support through the consultation process

 

Risks

 

This option increases the budget preparation difficulties at a time when additional income or major savings are required

 

 

 

It is extremely difficult to predict customer reaction to any reduced prices and the financial impact for the council. There are substantially increased risks associated with this option

 

 

This option could lead to further reductions in usage and the consequential risk of this could be that the estimated level of additional income may not be achieved

 

The officer preferred option was Option 3: to increase pay and display charges and to consider the two sub-options summarised as follows:-

 

Increase the Up to 1 hour charge on all car parks from £1.20 to £1.30

            Increase the Evening charge from £1.20 to £1.40, or

           

            (b) Increase Short Stay Up to 2 hours from £2.00 to £2.20

             Increase Short Stay Up to 3 hours from £2.70 to £2.80

            Increase Short Stay Up to 4 hours from £3.40 to £3.50

 

            That Cabinet approves allowing resident permit holders from Bulk Zone C to use Upper St Leonardsgate Car Park, Monday to Saturday before 10.00am and after 4.00pm and all day Sunday and that the Off-Street Parking Places Order is only amended when other substantive changes are required.

 

           That Cabinet approves adding Marine Road No 5 and No 6 to the list of car parks that Morecambe General Permit holders and other car park permit holders can use and that the Off-Street Parking Places Order is only amended when other substantive changes are required. 

 

Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed, seconded by Councillor Barry:-

 

 “(1)     That all parking fees and charges remain unchanged with the exception of the evening charge which is increased from £1.20 to £1.40 and the 2 hour short stay charge which is increased from £2.00 to £2.20.

 

 (2)       That Cabinet approves allowing resident permit holders from Bulk Zone C to use Upper St Leonardsgate Car Park, Monday to Saturday before 10.00am and after 4.00pm and all Sunday but that this arrangement be on a temporary basis and terminate in the event of any development to the area and that the Off-Street Parking Places Order is only amended when other substantive changes are required.

 

(3)        That Cabinet approves adding Marine Road No 5 and No 6 Car Parks to the list of car parks that Morecambe General Permit holders and other car park permit holders can use and that the Off-Street Parking Places Order is only amended when other substantive changes are required.”

 

Councillors then voted:-

 

Resolved unanimously:

 

 (1)       That all parking fees and charges remain unchanged with the exception of the evening charge which is increased from £1.20 to £1.40 and the 2 hour short stay charge which is increased from £2.00 to £2.20.

 

(2)        That Cabinet approves allowing resident permit holders from Bulk Zone C to use Upper St Leonardsgate Car Park, Monday to Saturday before 10.00am and after 4.00pm and all Sunday but that this arrangement be on a temporary basis and terminate in the event of any development to the area and that the Off-Street Parking Places Order is only amended when other substantive changes are required.

 

(3)        That Cabinet approves adding Marine Road No 5 and No 6 Car Parks to the list of car parks that Morecambe General Permit holders and other car park permit holders can use and that the Off-Street Parking Places Order is only amended when other substantive changes are required.

 

 

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

 

Head of Property Services

 

Reasons for making the decision:

 

The decision is consistent with the Parking Strategy:-

Aim 3 – in areas where the demand for residents’ parking spaces exceed the supply, make provision for certain resident permit holders to use designated car parks for overnight parking

Aim 5 - to set charges to meet the Council’s transportation policy objectives and budget commitments

Aim 5 – ensure the cost differential between on and off-street charges is maintained

 

The decision links with the Corporate Plan Priorities – Economic Regeneration and Climate Change and is consistent with the aims and objectives of the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

 

Report author: David Hopwood

Publication date: 25/01/2012

Date of decision: 17/01/2012

Decided at meeting: 17/01/2012 - Cabinet

Effective from: 28/01/2012

Accompanying Documents: