Issue - meetings

That:

a)             the removal of free parking in all car parks (Mon – Sat) be implemented at a later date prior to June 2024;

b)             Sunday and Bank Holiday charging be introduced; revised from the week-day tariff charges to a flat rate charge in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertford and Ware as described in paragraph 6.16 of the report;

c)              existing Sunday charges in Link Road and Northgate End car parks, Bishop’s Stortford be amended as described in paragraph 1.5 of the report;

d)             an evening parking charge up to 8:00pm be introduced in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertford and Ware as described in paragraph 1.6 of the report; and

e)             an uplift of tariff charges in Ware, Buntingford and Sawbridgeworth be approved as described in paragraph 6.21 of the report.

The Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability presented the Parking Traffic Regulation Orders report. Councillor McAndrew said that the proposals had been out to consultation which had received 1,100 responses. He said that the comments had been reviewed carefully and the recommendations in the report reflected this.

Councillor Buckmaster said the recommendations reflected the fact that the council has looked and listened to the consultation.

Councillor Goldspink said she was delighted to see so many responses but she said that since the consultation, residents had approached her to say that some of them have to park in the public car parks overnight as they have no space to park cars at home. The introduction of the evening charge would have a serious impact on them.

Councillor McAndrew said he was happy to review it alongside other parking charges in the future.

Councillor Bull recognized that the council had to make savings and increase income through car parking charges but he was concerned about parents who use the car parks in Buntingford to drop off and collect their children.

Councillor McAndrew said the car park in Buntingford was no different to other car parks in the district and said that users of it would need to pay.

Councillor Haysey said that the free half hour was raised numerous times in the consultation. She said the change would not happen immediately and would be implemented before June 2024.

Councillor Kaye said he was happy to see that the free half hour was being kept for now. He was pleased to see a flat rate for Sunday. He appreciated the difficulties for the council and the rates had not been increased significantly.

Councillor Haysey said that the recommendations had taken into account the consultation comments. She thanked Officers for their work on the report.

Councillor McAndrew proposed, and Councillor Buckmaster seconded a motion supporting the recommendations in the report. On being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – That (A) the removal of free parking in all car parks (Mon – Sat) be implemented at a later date prior to June 2024;

b)          Sunday and Bank Holiday charging be introduced; revised from the week-day tariff charges to a flat rate charge in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertford and Ware as described in paragraph 6.16 of the report;

c)           existing Sunday charges in Link Road and Northgate End car parks, Bishop’s Stortford be amended as described in paragraph 1.5 of the report;

d)          an evening parking charge up to 8:00pm be introduced in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertford and Ware as described in paragraph 1.6 of the report; and

e)          an uplift of tariff charges in Ware, Buntingford and Sawbridgeworth be approved as described in paragraph 6.21 of the report.