REPORT OF THE HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE AND BEST VALUE SUPPORT

REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

It was agreed at the Select Committee’s Awayday, in March2003, that progress on this issue should be reviewed at this meeting.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE

To comment on the current situation on this matter.

BACKGROUND

The Select Committee on 24 April 2002 received a report by the Head of Engineering Services on the feasibility study undertaken by Consultants, RTA Associates Ltd, on the feasibility of introducing decriminalised parking enforcement on the Island. The Consultants report had been originally considered by the Select Committee in November 2000. Due to resourcing difficulties officers had not been able to undertake any work on progressing this matter. The Select Committee, at its April 2002 meeting, agreed that the Executive consider seeking powers to adopt decriminalised parking enforcement on the Island.

The Executive considered this matter on 10 September 2002 and resolved :-

1. THAT it be agreed that the necessary work should be undertaken to facilitate the submission of a formal application to the Department of Transport for a Designation Order, which would decriminalise parking enforcement across the whole of the Isle of Wight;

2. THAT a further report be presented to the Executive prior to any formal application being made to the Department of Transport.

I have been advised by the Head of Engineering Services that due to insufficient staff resources it has not been possible to progress this matter. A revenue bid was included in the Engineering Services Service Plan, considered at the last meeting. This amounted to £91,800 in 2004/05 and £139,800 in 2005/06 and provided for the temporary appointment of one person, legal and administrative costs and modifications to existing yellow lines and associated signage. It would appear that without this funding the Council will be unable to proceed with progressing its application to the Department of Transport for a designation order that would decriminalise parking enforcement across the whole Island.

RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The intention of the Council to seek decriminalised parking enforcement is included in the Local Transport Plan (2001 – 2006) as part of the demand management strategy.

CONSULTATION PROCESS

The consultation process is in two parts. The Council will formally be required to consult with the Police and other emergency services. In addition it is appropriate to seek the views of a range of other interested groups, Town and Parish Councils and the general public.

FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS

The financial implications of undertaking the initial steps towards decriminalised parking enforcement is £91,800 in 2004/05 and £139,800 in 2005/06. This would enable an audit of existing yellow line waiting restrictions and implementation of remedial works. To enable a successful application to be made to the Department of Transport the Council will have to demonstrate that all its traffic regulation orders accord to the provisions of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the signs and lines comply with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002.

The original financial projections suggested that a scheme could provide an operating surplus after 3 years. Any surplus has to be utilised for off street parking provision, support for public transport services and highway improvement schemes in accordance with section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

APPENDICES ATTACHED

None

BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT

Agenda and minutes of the Environment and Transport Select Committee held on 24 April 2002.

Agenda and minutes of the Executive held on 19 September 2002.

Contact Point : Paul Thistlewood, F 823285 e-mail [email protected]

ALISTAIR DRAIN

Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support