Agenda item - PROPOSED OFF-STREET CAR PARKING TARIFFS FOR 2023/24

REPORT OF: SERVICE DIRECTOR - REGULATORY

To agree proposed car parking tariff increases for 2023-24 in accordance with the Council's fees and charges policy as set out in the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

RESOLVED:

(1) That Cabinet agreed to adopt the proposed off-street car park tariffs for 2023/24 as set out in Tables 1 to 5 at Appendix A

(2) That Cabinet agreed not to increase the charges for Season Tickets for each of its long stay car parks or business permits for its car park at St. Martins Road in Knebworth for 2023/24.

(3) That Cabinet agreed not to increase the charges for resident permits, visitor permits, business permits or visitor tickets for resident permit zones for 2023/24.

(4) That Cabinet agreed that the proposed tariff changes, as recommended and approved in paragraphs 2.1 above, are implemented as soon as practicable, and that officers in consultation with the Executive Member and Deputy for Planning and Transport proceed with the implementation as required.

(5) That Cabinet agreed to the policy of customers paying for parking sessions whilst parked within electric vehicle charging bays.

(6) That Officers proceeded with the necessary amendments to the Off-Street Parking Traffic Regulation Orders as required to implement changes recommended and approved above, and that officers in consultation with the Executive Member and Deputy for Planning and Transport proceed with the implementation as required.

(7) That Cabinet agreed for officers in consultation with the Executive Member and Deputy for Planning and Transport to implement subsidy and incentive parking schemes on a break even approach on request.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To implement an increase in car parking tariffs in order to effectively manage their use and in accordance with the Council’s fees and charges policy as set out in its Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). To set car parking tariffs that support the achievement of modal shift away from private car use and to help support the vitality of town centres.

Audio recording – 44:54

Councillor Ruth Brown, as Executive Member for Planning and Transport, presented the report entitled ‘Proposed Off-Street Car Parking Tariffs for 2023/24’ and advised that:

· The Medium Term Financial Strategy required the Council to raise car parking charges by 2% and the discussion is around how to do this.

· Last year a 10p increase was introduced on the 1-hour rate, in order to close the gap between the 1 and 2-hour rates and encourage people to stay in towns longer.

· Over the past year there had been an increase in usage and income and phone data showed that people were staying longer.

· It was proposed that this be continued this year and further close the gap between 1 and 2-hour parking rates. This would be another 10p increase in the 1-hour rate.

· All permits and season tickets would remain the same.

· Long Stay Car Parks would stay the same, with the exception of the 5p charges. The most complaints received were about issues with 5p payments.

· Whilst over the next two years these will move to cashless machines, there were still 5p charges now and it seemed sensible to rationalise these at this stage. Most would be increased by 5p, but some car parks would be reduced by 5p.

· More EV charging points would be installed which currently did not require payment and it was felt this encouraged people to park for longer to charge their car. To reduce this impact it was proposed that a charge would be introduced for these bays as well.

· Subsidised or incentivised schemes, such as free 30 minute parking in Knebworth, would continue to be supported on a request basis, and it would be expected to break even.

· There was no requirement to consult on these proposals but these had been presented to all Area Forums, town BIDS, Royston Town Council and Knebworth Parish Council.

· There had been a mixed response from business to the proposals.

· Royston Town Council had made an overall objection, but this related to owners and workers who would not be impacted as permit rates were not being increased.

The Service Director – Resources confirmed for Members that the car parking charges were not increased to balance the budget.

The following Members asked questions:

· Councillor Ian Albert

· Councillor Steve Jarvis

In response to questions, Councillor Brown advised that:

· She agreed the need for a larger review of evening and Sunday parking charges, as there had been changes in the way people parked following the pandemic.

· To enable the review in the next two years, it was proposed to amend the TRO to cover evening and weekends now but this would be set to zero and would not currently be enforced, but this change would make it easier at a later stage.

· Permits would be reviewed in full in the future, however at the moment the focus was on alternative payments, pay on exit and EV charging projects.

· Royston Town Council had objected 2 years in a row to any parking charge increases and had not offered to subsidise this.

· Royston BID subsidised the ‘Free after 3pm’ scheme in Royston and this would continue for the next year. However, this was under review as the amount was based on a figure from 2010 and had not been increased.

· There was still a desire to incentivise EV and different schemes would be explored, and no introduction of EV parking charges was to take place this year.

The Service Director – Regulatory advised that if Members agreed in principle to the EV parking charges, then the final plans could be agreed with the relevant Executive Member to ensure EV was still incentivised.

Councillor Ruth Brown proposed and Councillor Keith Hoskins seconded and, following a vote, it was: