Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Highways, Environment and Sustainability presented a report seeking support for recommendations relating to a financially sustainable strategy for the Council’s car parking assets.

 

In January 2015, Members supported recommendations of a review of parking charges at the Council’s current pay and display car parks. In addition, Members had resolved that a study be undertaken to advise on the future retention and charging status of the Council’s free car parks, the feasibility of introducing a controlled parking zone on Colwyn Bay promenade and that other areas in the County Borough also be investigated with a view to introducing car parking charges.

 

As a consequence, consultants had been engaged to undertake a Parking Strategy Study, with the purpose of the study being to investigate the issues above.

 

Based on the findings of the study, the proposals presented to Members were promoted on the principle that car parks must be financially self-sustainable and that the Council should seek to maximise the value of its assets.

 

Members were informed that the Environment, Roads and Facilities (ERF) Service had to find £1.4m in budget reductions in 2016/17 and the proposals also recognised the significant budgetary challenges the Council faced and the need to explore options for income generation.

 

The Customers Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered the report at its meeting on 8 February 2016 and following a detailed debate had agreed to support the recommendations within the report, with the exception to Recommendation 3.6.  It was requested that an additional report be presented to the Customers Overview and Scrutiny Committee, following further investigation by the Traffic and Network Manager on the development of Gloddaeth Avenue, Llandudno and West Parade (West Shore), including the coastal section of Abbey Road, Llandudno, as on-street pay and display parking.

 

The Cabinet Member advised Members that he was seeking approval in principle of the recommendations from the Scrutiny Committee to ensure an equitable policy across the whole of the County Borough; this would then allow Officers to undertake the necessary consultation with all stakeholders including Town and Community Councils, communities and residents on the proposals within the report.

 

Councillor Cheryl Carlisle (Local Electoral Division Member for Colwyn) presented a petition, which had been signed by 253 residents of Old Colwyn, who were against the introduction of car parking charges at Berthes Road Car Park, Old Colwyn.  Members were informed that the car park served 2 schools, 4 churches and local businesses in the area; charges had previously been introduced at the car park, however the charges had later been withdrawn as the car park was not being utilised.  The surrounding area was already heavily occupied and implementation of a charging policy could cause displacement locally.

 

The Leader and Cabinet Members acknowledged that they had received a number of objections and concerns regarding the proposals.

 

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Social Care and Health expressed her concern that by introducing pay and display charges, this could have a negative impact on tourism and on local businesses, particularly in the rural areas.  In addition, consideration had to be given to the impact on the Building Resilient Communities and Tackling Poverty agenda.  The Cabinet Member also made reference to the risk identified within the report, that the desired outcomes of the proposals may not be achieved.

 

The Cabinet Member for Communities also had concerns that the proposals could have a detrimental effect on his portfolio and the wellbeing of residents.

 

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills acknowledged that the savings/budget reductions had to be found, however it was felt that further consideration should be given to alternative options, such as permits and not charging for short periods.

 

The Cabinet also heard the concerns of Local Electoral Division Members in attendance at the meeting.  There were concerns that the proposals could have a detrimental impact on local businesses in their wards and cause a displacement of vehicles on to the highway and exacerbate parking problems further, particularly in the more heavily populated areas.  In addition, there were concerns regarding the effect on tourism and on community events and the wellbeing of the public, who would be less inclined to walk along areas such as Colwyn Bay promenade if charges were in place.

 

The Cabinet was also informed that some Town and Community Councils were against the proposals and would be unable to afford to take on leasing of car parks in their communities.

 

Whilst some Local Members acknowledged the need to find savings, consideration should be given to alternative options, such as the issuing of parking permits to Bed and Breakfasts, Guest Houses and Hotels in the area; robust enforcement of restrictions and free parking for short periods.  It was felt that consideration needed to be given to the case for change and the principle that every car park should be self-sustaining was not realistic, particularly in the rural areas.

 

Local Members also felt that inappropriate consultation had taken place and the residents in the Llandudno area had recently held a public meeting, which had been attended by over 70 residents, who were against the introduction of on street car parking changes in Llandudno.

 

Whilst the Cabinet Member for Tourism, Marketing and Leisure acknowledged the concerns expressed, Members were reminded that the Auditor General (Wales Audit Office) had stated that Local Authorities should look at increased income generation as a way to meet  budget deficits.  The Cabinet Member reiterated the significant budgetary challenges the Council faced and if the savings were not found, service delivery would be affected.  Therefore, it was suggested that the report be referred back to Overview and Scrutiny for further consideration.

 

The Deputy Leader also acknowledged the concerns and representations made and concurred with the comments made by the Cabinet Member for Tourism, Marketing and Leisure.  The Deputy Leader supported the proposal to refer the matter back to Overview and Scrutiny for further review, and suggested that consideration also be given to minimal fees for residential parking.

 

 

 

 

 

The Cabinet Member for Governance and Regulation also supported the proposal for further scrutiny and suggested that a Task and Finish Group be set up to look at the individual issues.  There may not be a solution that would be favourable to all, however if the ERF budget was not sustainable other services such as Bus Services could be affected, in order to subsidise car parks.

 

The Cabinet Member for Communication informed Members that he had attended the public meeting in Llandudno and supported the establishment of a Task and Finish Group to look at the various elements within the report.

 

In response, to the proposal to refer the matter back to Overview and Scrutiny, the Vice-Chair of the Principal Overview and Scrutiny Committee suggested that it be referred back to a joint meeting of the Customers and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

 

The Chief Executive informed Members that he had also received several letters of objection from representatives of communities and local businesses in Llanfairfechan, Penmaenmawr and Llanwrst.

 

If Members supported the proposal to refer the matter back to a joint Overview and Scrutiny meeting, the Chief Executive further suggested that the Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Customers and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committees be requested to agree to set up a Task and Finish group (without the need for a meeting to establish the group), with an appropriate terms of reference, taking account of the issues and concerns highlighted (including the letters of representation received).  This approach was agreed by Cabinet Members, with the support of all Members who were in attendance at the meeting.

 

Members were also asked to consider progressing with the proposal to enter into an agreement with Bemrose Mobile Ltd to trial Automatic Number Plate  Recognition technology in selected car parks, which were already pay and display car parks, in order to offer flexible payment and increase compliance.  The Cabinet Member for Communities supported this and suggested that a further report on the matter be considered by Cabinet in the future to review the effects of implementation.

 

The Cabinet Member for Highways, Environment and Sustainability was disappointed with the lack of support for the proposals, as elements of the savings were included within the budget report, which was also considered as part of this agenda (see minute 770 – Draft Revenue Budget 2016/17 below).

 

The Cabinet Member advised that by introducing pay and display charges, this would not affect service delivery; Officers within ERF had endeavoured to look at income regeneration instead of budget reductions.  However, the concerns expressed by both Members and residents would be considered and the Cabinet Member agreed to support the recommendation to refer the matter back to Overview and Scrutiny for further consideration.

 

It was also agreed that an initial report should be presented to Cabinet from the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee in four months, in order to keep delay in any savings that could be realised to as short a period as possible.

 

The Head of ERF confirmed that he would be happy to support a Task and Finish Group, however the issues were complex.

 

Thanks were extended to the Cabinet Member and Officers for all their hard work in bringing the matter to democracy.

 

RESOLVED-

(a)  That the matter be referred back to Overview and Scrutiny and that a Task and Finish Group be established by a Joint Customers and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee for further consideration of Recommendations 3.1 – 3.6 within the report, taking account of the concerns and representations made.

 

(b)  In order not to delay the process, that the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Customers and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committees be requested to agree to set up the Task and Finish Group (without the need for a meeting) and agree the Terms of Reference.

 

(c)  That the Task and Finish Group and joint Customers and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee report back to Cabinet within four months.

 

(d)  That the Council enters into an agreement with Bemrose Mobile Ltd to trial Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology in selected car parks, in order to offer flexible payment and increase compliance.