Agenda item

Cabinet APPROVED the following measures to be introduced permanently:

• a 20% discount will be offered for customers using Council Car Parks where payment is made only via the cashless service  (the discount will not be applicable for payments made via pay and display machines);
• one hours free on street parking for all customers, applicable whether payment is made via the cashless service or via pay and display machines (the free parking allocation excludes Council Car Parks and all off street parking provision);
• Due to the continued threat posed by Covid-19 it is recommended that the Havering Hero’s permit (permitting parking in residential bays and Council Car Parks for 3 hours) is extended until the end of January 2021, under the existing terms and conditions (Appendix B)

·       That the Council’s Enforcement Agents do not clamp and or remove vehicles until such time as deemed reasonable and dependent on the status of the Covid-19 pandemic. This will be monitored and agreed between the service and Lead member going forward

Consideration was given to the report presented by Councillor Osman Dervish, Cabinet Member for the Environment, in relation to the Paid for Parking Charges and the Havering Hero’s Permits.  Cllr Dervish was delighted to bring the report which detailed a review of the previous decisions made and considered how the parking provision in the Borough might assist residents and support the businesses in an ever changing situation given the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Parking management is an important public service, which provides benefits to motorists and the wider community. Those benefits include reducing congestion, maintaining road safety, improving air quality, whilst helping to ensure access to goods and services. It is extremely important, particularly for key workers at this time, that traffic is kept moving to ensure essential services continue to be provided.

Based on benchmarking with geographical neighbours, the offer proposed for Havering exceeds those of surrounding boroughs.  The continuation of the Havering Hero’s permit will ensure that assistance is given to the most vulnerable residents in Havering and as a result, Councillor Dervish recommended the report to Cabinet.

Following discussion including other political groups and officers:

Cabinet apporved the following measures to be introduced permanently:

• a 20% discount will be offered for customers using Council Car Parks where payment is made only via the cashless service  (the discount will not be applicable for payments made via pay and display machines);
• one hours free on street parking for all customers, applicable whether payment is made via the cashless service or via pay and display machines (the free parking allocation excludes Council Car Parks and all off street parking provision);
• Due to the continued threat posed by Covid-19 it is recommended that the Havering Hero’s permit (permitting parking in residential bays and Council Car Parks for 3 hours) is extended until the end of January 2021, under the existing terms and conditions (Appendix B)

·       That the Council’s Enforcement Agents do not clamp and or remove vehicles until such time as deemed reasonable and dependent on the status of the Covid-19 pandemic. This will be monitored and agreed between the service and Lead member going forward