Agenda item - NHDC PARKING STRATEGY DRAFT PARKING OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – REGULATORY

To consider the detail on how the Council proposes to implement the policy framework set out in the adopted North Hertfordshire District Council Parking Strategy 2019-2031.

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET:

(1) That the following comments of the Baldock and District Committee be taken into account when considering recommendations (2) – (5) below:

(i) The reporting pack seemed over complicated and not user friendly:

(ii) There should be an easier way to feed back information;

(iii) Some problems only affected very small areas and this was not the way to provide solutions;

(iv) There should be a facility to upload photographs;

(v) If people can only complete part of the reporting pack it should not invalidate the information given;

(vi) Feedback should be sought from Councillors following adoption of the guidelines regarding parking issues in Baldock;

(vii) There did not seem to be any connectivity between the document and the Local Plan.

(2) That, subject to consideration of the comments in (1) above, Draft North Hertfordshire District Council Parking Operational Guidelines at Appendix A be considered and adopted;

(3) That, subject to the comments in (1) above, the draft North Hertfordshire District Council Parking Issues Reporting Pack Part 1 and Part 2 at Appendix B and C be considered and adopted;

(4) That delegated authority be given to the Service Director - Regulatory to approve minor amendments and format changes to the draft Parking Operational Guidelines as required in consultation with the Executive Member and Deputy Executive Member for Planning and Transport.

(5) That officers proceed with the work associated with the key projects listed in the Parking Strategy Strategic Action Plan using the Parking Operational Guidelines to implement the policy framework.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS: The draft Parking Operational Guidelines will provide the necessary guidance and assessment criteria for the Parking Strategy policy framework for managing parking across the District in a most cost efficient way that accords with the Council’s Corporate Objectives and its Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Audio recording – 1 hour 7 minutes 4 seconds

The Strategic Infrastructure and Projects Manger and Parking Project Officer presented the report entitled NHDC Parking Strategy Draft Parking Operational Guidelines and drew attention to the following:

· These guidelines were prepared following the adoption of the Parking Strategy in October 2019;

· The aim was to present a report, together with the comments from Area Committees to Cabinet in March 2020;

· This was a high-level document that provided guidelines to Officers in order to deliver the Strategy;

· It was seen as a living document and it followed the same framework as the Strategy;

· It considers on-street parking and the possible sale of tickets to park in Controlled Parking Zones in area of low take up;

· It included a parking issues reporting pack, which gave a structure for the public to make reports of parking issues;

· The public would be asked to report issues over a 4 week period;

· This would enable the Council to understand times of stress regarding parking.

The following Members asked questions and took part in the debate:

· Councillor Michael Weeks;

· Councillor Tom Tyson;

· Councillor Steve Jarvis;

· Councillor Jim McNally;

· Councillor Michael Muir.

In response to questions the Strategic Infrastructure and Projects Manager and Parking Projects Officer advised:

· That they were working on an online version of the reporting pack;

· The reporting pack would help officers;

· The reporting pack was based on the version used successfully by the County Council;

· The reporting pack would provide a lot of data;

· The comments of the Area Committees would be considered.

Members concerns regarding the draft Parking Issues Reporting Pack and Operational Guidelines included:

· The reporting pack seemed over complicated and not user friendly:

· There should be an easier way to feed back information;

· Some problems only affected very small areas and this was not the way to provide solutions;

· There should be a facility to upload photographs;

· If people can only complete part of the reporting pack it should not invalidate the information given;

· Feedback should be sought from Councillors following adoption of the guidelines regarding parking issues in Baldock;

· There did not seem to be any connectivity between the document and the Local Plan.

Members made the following comments in respect of the local Parking Strategy:

· The Parking Strategy for Baldock was last completed 6 years ago and needed to be reviewed;

· The Committee needed a timeline for review that had a degree of certainty;

· Proposed growth in the Town will only increase traffic and make the current situation worse;

· The transport sustainability issues now and following new development should be considered now rather than wait for the parking review;

· Enforcement of parking was often not regular or strong enough;

· There was an unrealistic expectation about the number of people who would use alternative methods of transport.

In respect of the local parking strategy the Strategic Infrastructure and Projects Manager advised:

· They had not had available staff, however they were now progressing the work programme;

· They were currently working on the Royston review;

· It was unlikely that the Baldock review would take place in the next year;

· Key safety issues could be addressed;

· There was only one Parking Projects Officer and there was a need to manage her time and budget;

· The Parking Strategy would be reviewed as part of the Local Plan.