Agenda item

Outcomes of the Parking Task and Finish Group Review

Decision:

That (A) the findings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Parking Task and Finish Group be received and considered, and (B) authority be delegated to the Head of Operations, in consultation with the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Chairman of the Parking Task and Finish Group, and with the Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability, to assess the full viability of the recommendations by the Executive and bring a further report to the Executive setting out cost implications.

Minutes:

The Executive considered a report submitted by the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and presented by Councillor Drake, as Chairman of the Parking Task and Finish Group. 

 

Councillor Drake summarised the approach taken by the Parking Task and Finish Group, and the scope of the work it had carried out.  The terms of reference had been to review the policy areas of town centre parking policies, focusing on Bishop’s Stortford and Hertford, but looking also at the needs of other towns and villages; the Resident Permit Zone (RPZ) policy; parking standards within planning policies and climate change and sustainability implications of parking policy. 

 

Councillor Drake directed Members to the paper submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 10 December 2019, which set out the detailed recommendations of the Task and Finish Group and an amendment proposed to the RPZ policy.  She said the recommendations were ambitious but achievable. 

 

Councillor Haysey thanked Councillor Drake for the detailed work she and the other Members of the Task and Finish Group had undertaken. 

 

Councillor McAndrew thanked Councillor Drake for the Task and Finish Group’s report, which he said set out very ambitious recommendations.  Implementation of such recommendations would have costs implications, which would be likely to be exceptional.   Whilst the Task and Finish Group had examined some of the operational issues affecting residents and others in relation to parking, it was necessary to assess the implications of implementing the proposals, in view of the Council’s approved budget, and its new corporate plan which included environmental sustainability.  It was also necessary to keep in mind the challenge the Council had set itself in its financially sustainable budget to find ways to manage parking behaviour through fees and charges.  The recommendations of the Parking Task and Finish Group would require funding, so he would ask Officers to undertake further detailed work on costs. 

 

Councillor McAndrew said he therefore proposed an amendment, to add that authority be delegated to the Head of Operations, in consultation with the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and with the Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability, to assess the full viability of the recommendations by the Executive and bring a further report to the Executive setting out cost implications.

 

Councillor Wyllie thanked Councillor Drake for the work she and the Task and Finish Group had done.  The Committee had looked at the findings in detail and considered there could be further scope to explore options, for example, in relation to Airport related parking and on street parking.  He understood the reason for Councillor McAndrew’s amendment, but there was a need to resolve residents’ problems. 

 

Councillor McAndrew said he concurred with the aim to find solutions, but it was also necessary to take a holistic approach. 

 

Councillor Wyllie asked that the amendment to the proposal should include provision for Councillor Drake to be consulted. 

 

Councillor McAndrew agreed to the inclusion of this additional provision. 

 

In response to a comment from Councillor Bull, Councillor McAndrew said each Town would be looked at on its own merit.

 

Councillor McAndrew proposed, and Councillor Williamson seconded a motion to support the proposal as set out in the report, together with the amendment proposed by Councillor McAndrew.  The motion being put to the meeting and a vote taken, it was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED - that (A) the findings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Parking Task and Finish Group be received and considered, and (B) authority be delegated to the Head of Operations, in consultation with the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Chairman of the Parking Task and Finish Group, and with the Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability, to assess the full viability of the recommendations by the Executive and bring a further report to the Executive setting out cost implications.

 

Supporting documents: