(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Dowding)
Cabinet received a report from the Director for Communities & the Environment that set out options arising from the review of the Council’s wider parking policies. The options were modelled so they could be presented to Council as part of the wider budget proposals.
The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:
Option 1: Retention of current complex tariff structure with 50p per tariff band incremental increase
Advantages: A larger increase in pricing could assist in achieving the structural deficit.
Disadvantages: The Council retains a complex tariff structure which doesn’t work towards addressing Council ambitions as outlined within this report.
The tariff structure would become further complicated and unclear for users with potential regeneration development such as Eden and Canal Quarter as outlined within the report.
Reputational risk with business community and users feeling this is not an attractive alternative.
Risks: None.
Option 2: The terms of the proposed parking fees & charges amendments is endorsed.
Advantages: Creates additional revenue to meet budget aspirations and provides a shift towards climate change modes of transport aspirations.
Disadvantages: None.
Risks: The signage and software changes exceed budget estimates.
Revenue budget expectations are not met due to a combination of macroeconomic or externalised factors.
Option 3: Support retention of current complex tariff structure with 10p per tariff band incremental increase
Advantages: No advantages identified.
Disadvantages: The Council retains a complex tariff structure which doesn’t work towards addressing Council ambitions or structural deficit.
The tariff structure would become further complicated and unclear for users with potential regeneration development such as Eden and Canal Quarter as outlined within the report.
Risks: None.
Option 4: The terms of the proposed parking fees & charges amendments are not agreed.
Advantages: No advantages identified.
Disadvantages: A financial budget gap may become apparent which may result in a reduction of council services.
Risks: None.
The Officer Preferred Option is option 2.
Councillor Dowding proposed, seconded by Councillor Brookes:-
“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved,”
During the debate concern was raised at the possible impact the proposals might have on arts and culture in Lancaster and whether some re-modelling could be undertaken to address this within the context of the draft budget.
By way of an amendment, that was accepted as a friendly amendment by the proposer and seconder, Councillor Thornberry proposed and Councillor Lewis seconded :-
“that the following wording be inserted at the end of recommendation (2) : with further modelling to look at an extra tariff to support art and culture organisations and that further tariff to be agreed in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Members with responsibility for Planning & Place Making and Arts, Culture, Leisure & Wellbeing.
Councillors then voted:-
Resolved unanimously:
(1) That as the option most consistent with Council’s priorities, Option 2 be included in Cabinet’s budget proposals.
(2) That Subject to Council approval these tariffs are adopted from April 1, 2022 with further modelling to look at an extra tariff to support art and culture organisations and that further tariff to be agreed in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Members with responsibility for Planning & Place Making and Arts, Culture, Leisure & Wellbeing.
Officer responsible for effecting the decision:
Director for Communities & the Environment
Reasons for making the decision:
Effectively managed car parking makes a significant strategic contribution to a number of agreed Council outcomes including:
Strategy- Climate Emergency. Outcomes- net zero by 2030, transition to an accessible and low carbon transport system.
Strategy- Community Engagement, Power and Resilience. Outcomes- innovative public services, providing value for money.
The request that officers undertake further modelling of the Lancaster tariff will ensure that concerns surrounding any adverse impact on the entertainment industries is addressed.