Agenda item

Cabinet AGREED:

1)     To harmonise the parking charge for 0-2 hours on street pay and display across the borough with the 2 hour off street parking charge in the Council’s outlying car parks and also where parking fees are payable in Parks across the borough, the charge for which shall be 20 pence. Outlying car parks being all those outside of the Romford area and listed at appendix 1 of the Cabinet report.

2)     To extend the current maximum stay on street pay and display to 3 hours and introducing a 50p charge for 2-3 hours parking  which is in harmony with the 2 - 3 hour charge made in outlying car parks and in those Parks where a parking charge is payable. Outlying car parks being all those outside of the Romford area and listed at appendix 1 of the Cabinet report.

3)     The amendment of all outlying on street Pay & Display parking tariffs as set out in the Parking Management Strategy agreed by Cabinet on the 16 May 2007 and the associated provisions agreed by the Regulatory Services Committee on the 13 December 2007.

4)     To the initial one off set up cost of equipment conversion and signage one ward at a time over a period of four (4) weeks.

Councillor Barry Tebbutt, Cabinet Member for Environment, introduced the report

The report before Cabinet set out an opportunity to harmonise the current zero to two hour ‘On Street’ Pay & Display car parking tariffs borough wide, with all outlying Car Parks tariffs at 20p.

The report also sought to extend the maximum ‘On Street’ stay from 2 hours to 3 hours whilst harmonising the charge for that length of stay with the same charge made in all outlying car parks also at 50p.

The proposals sought to enhance business opportunities and to ensure local people use local businesses, maintaining road safety and traffic flows by greater use of available parking facilities. Additionally, staff considered that the extension of the maximum stay on street would provide additional customer benefit and help businesses who require their customers to be with them for a period up to 3 hours. The report suggested that the likes of hairdressers, supermarkets and restaurants would benefit from the proposed arrangements.

Reasons for the decision:

Staff considered that the proposals would significantly contribute to supporting the current business base within the borough by reducing parking tariffs and enhancing business opportunity, support the requirements of the previously agreed Parking Management Strategy and meet residents needs through reduced charges, whilst seeking to enhance the business opportunity and shopping experience for local residents.

Other options considered:

Staff considered the option of leaving tariffs at current levels, however the current economic climate lends itself to support business opportunities and in turn local growth, and for this reason officers believed this to be financially viable in the medium to longer term.

The general view expressed by Members was one of support for the proposals and in particular the support it lends to local businesses. Following a query, assurances were given that staff resources for the collection of payments from Pay and Display machines would be sufficient to meet any increased demand for the use of Council car parks as a result of the proposed changes.

Cabinet AGREED:

1)      To harmonise the parking charge for 0-2 hours on street pay and display across the borough with the 2 hour off street parking charge in the Council’s outlying car parks and also where parking fees are payable in Parks across the borough, the charge for which shall be 20 pence. Outlying car parks being all those outside of the Romford area and listed as an appendix to the minutes.

2)      To extend the current maximum stay on street pay and display to 3 hours and introducing a 50p charge for 2-3 hours parking  which is in harmony with the 2 - 3 hour charge made in outlying car parks and in those Parks where a parking charge is payable. Outlying car parks being all those outside of the Romford area and listed as an appendix to the minutes.

3)      The amendment of all outlying on street Pay & Display parking tariffs as set out in the Parking Management Strategy agreed by Cabinet on the 16 May 2007 and the associated provisions agreed by the Regulatory Services Committee on the 13 December 2007.

4)      To the initial one off set up cost of equipment conversion and signage one ward at a time over a period of four (4) weeks.