Agenda item

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR – PLACE

To implement an increase in car parking tariffs, season tickets and permits within resident parking zones in order to effectively manage their use and in accordance with the Council’s fees and charges policy as set out in MTFS.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

(1) Adopted the proposed off-street and on-street car park tariff increases for 2026/27 referred to as Option 3 in paragraphs 8.2.14 of this Report and as set out in: (i) Tables 1, 2 and 4 for Hitchin, Letchworth and Knebworth at Appendix A, and (ii) Tables 5a for Royston off-street car parks and 6a for Royson on-street parking bays in Market Hill at Appendix B.

(2) Increased the proposed charges for season tickets for each of its long stay car parks in Hitchin, Letchworth and Royston and business permits at St. Martins Road car park in Knebworth for 2026/27 as set out in Tables 7 and 8 at Appendix A.

(3) Increased the charges for resident permits, visitor permits, business permits and visitor tickets for resident parking zones for 2026/27 as set out in Section 8.4 of this report.

(4) Delegated to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Transport all decisions necessary to give effect to the recommendations including the issuing of the Notice of Variation to the 2024 Off-Street Parking Traffic Regulation Orders and the 2023 On-Street Consolidation Order.

(5) Noted the 'direction of travel' with regard possible subsidy schemes arising from the proposed programme of tariffs and charges.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To implement an increase in car parking tariffs, season tickets and permits within resident parking zones 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 – 45 minutes 52 seconds

Councillor Donna Wright, as Executive Member for Place, presented the report entitled ‘Proposed Car Parking Tariffs for 2026/27’ and advised that:

· This report presented recommendations for off-street and on-street car park tariff increases for 2026/27.

· The Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) approved by the Council, required a 2% annual uplift in parking income.

· This year the Council had investigated three options, and the recommended approach was Option 3 as the most viable option which offered a 2% uplift with a revised option for Royston.

· Meetings had been held with Royston Town Council and the Royston BID to produce a simplified tariff structure for Royston.

· Both Royston Town Council and Royston BID had indicated they could not continue to subsidise free parking after 3pm and would like to offer a December free parking scheme which was under early discussions.

· The proposed car parking tariff increases have been considered by all the other BIDs and positive feedback had been received.

· Knebworth Parish Council had no comment on the proposed increases and would continue with their subsidy of the 30-minute car parking tariff.

· The Council would continue discussions with the Royston BID and the Royston Town Council regarding a preferred subsidy for 2026/27, with the possibility of free parking in December as requested.

· Option 3 offered a balanced approach to car parking tariff increases and would resolve operational issues.

Following a question from Councillor Sean Nolan, the Strategic Infrastructure and Projects Manager advised that the Council would require three months notice to publicise and to also put in effect changes to parking machines for a December free parking scheme to be implemented.

The following Members took part in the debate:

· Councillor Val Bryant

· Councillor Ian Albert

Points raised during the debate included:

· How impressed Members were with the number of consultations that had taken place.

· This report demonstrated that the Council had listened to communities and where funding from the budget was possible would implement some of the proposals from the town centre BIDs.

Councillor Donna Wright proposed and Councillor Ian Albert seconded and, following a vote, it was: