Agenda item

Members considered a report on the re-introduction of car parking and permit charges.

It had been decided, under delegated authority on 16 March to suspend parking charges for a period of three months, due to the lockdown by the Government. The report detailed different options for bringing parking and permit charges back, and the Officer recommendation was to bring these charges back from 1 July 2020.

The Strategic Finance and Business Support Manager informed Members that it was likely that the take-up of 5 and 6 days passes would decrease in the future due to the changing nature of working patterns; in particular, Officers at West Lindsey District Council were increasingly working from home during the lockdown period.

Lengthy and robust debate ensued with several Members indicating the original decision taken back in March had been very much appreciated.  There were calls for the current suspension of charges to remain in place and whilst Members appreciated and acknowledged the additional costs, it was considered the continued suspension demonstrated a continued intention to support local communities, and business in their recovery.

Members considered there was data to support that free parking was working.  The recovery was very much still in its early stages and supporting local businesses where possible was paramount.

In response to questions, Officers confirmed that it would take in the region of 2-3 months to establish alternative arrangements for permits, once these had been determined and this was due to the legal notices required when making changes to parking charges.

An alternative to the printed recommendations was moved and seconded namely: -

“To reconsider the report in September 2020 with a view to considering whether it would be appropriate to reintroduce parking charges on October 1 2010.”

Several Members spoke in support of the alternative recommendation, whilst others, whilst they wished to support continued free car parking, were conscious of the mounting costs to the Council.  Some felt these costs were relatively small given the overall cost.

Following further debate an addition to the written recommendations was moved and seconded, namely: -

(1)     Recommendation 1 as written be supported,

(2)     Recommendation 2 as written, be curtailed so it finished with the words       from 1 July 2020; and a further recommendation be added;

(3)     To allow Officers to investigate further more flexible options to support workers in our community, and report back to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.  These options to be determined by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.

On being put to the vote, this first alternative recommendation was not carried and the committee continued to debate.

Reference was made to the difference between the free parking periods within Gainsborough and Market Rasen, and in the event that charges were to be re-introduce from 1 July, it was suggested the free parking period should be re-aligned across the two towns granting both a free period of parking for 2hrs.  Officers advised of the legal mandatory lead in times for making any such changes.  The Monitoring Officer also expressed caution that no such decision of that nature could be made at this evening’s meeting as Members did not have all the information available to them. 

Following much debate the following further recommendation was proposed and seconded:

“To delegate to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chairman of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee, a review of the introduction of 2 hours free parking in Gainsborough from 1 October 2020.  This was with a view to bringing a report to the 17 September 2020 meeting of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.”

On being put to the vote this additional recommendation was not carried.

There was general consensus however that the Parking Strategy as a whole would need to be reviewed to account for the “new normal” patterns.   Whilst it was regrettable that charges could not remain suspended indefinitely due to the other financial pressures the Council faced.  There was also view that  it was fairer that those who used the car parks paid for them as opposed to all council tax payers.

In response to questions, Officers confirmed that 62.2% of users were taking advantage of the free parking hour.

With all other proposals falling, the Committee considered the amended set of recommendations proposed at the outset of the meeting namely:

(1)      To approve the re-introduction of car park charges from 1 July 2020;

(2)      To approve the re-introduction of permit charges from 1 July 2020;

(3)      To allow Officers to investigate further more flexible options to support workers in our community, and report back to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.  These options were to be determined by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.

Following a vote, the recommendations listed above were APPROVED

On that basis it was RESOLVED that: -

(a)       the re-introduction of car park charges from 1 July 2020 be approved;

(b)       the re-introduction of permit charges from 1 July 2020 be approved;

(c)       Officers investigate further more flexible options to support workers in our community, and report back to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.  These options to be determined by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.