Title : OBJECTIONS TO THE CAR PARKING PLACES ORDER 2003

REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR TRANSPORT

IMPLEMENTATION DATE: 7 APRIL 2003

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

1. To approve the Parking Places Order following statutory consultation. The draft Order has been circulated to members of the Executive and a copy has been placed in the member’s room.

CONFIDENTIAL/EXEMPT ITEMS

2. None.

BACKGROUND

3. Members will recall that a comprehensive Island-wide study was commissioned last year. The study examined public parking provision and usage and provided an overview of parking patterns in the major towns on the Island. A number of issues were raised by the study and were considered by the Select Committee in January this year. After public consultation, it was agreed that a Car Park Task Group was to be set up to examine some of these issues in more detail. These focussed on charging policy, hours of operation and permits.

4. A Parking Places Order reflecting the changes of policy and charges for the forthcoming year as agreed by Executive in January was subsequently advertised and the comments reported in Appendix A to this report.

STRATEGIC CONTEXT

5. The control of car parking is an important traffic management tool in any demand management strategy. Price control is the most effective means of regulating this. Increasing parking charges at above inflation, whilst investing more resources in public transport and other sustainable alternatives to private car use is consistent with the aims and objectives set out in the Council’s Local Transport Plan, namely encouraging travel by sustainable means; make best use of the existing transport infrastructure; enhance the quality of Island life; and managing the demand for travel by controlling the parking supply to discourage commuting using the carrot and stick approach.

6. Simplification of tariffs and operating hours reduces anomalies and creates a fairer system for all, in line with the Council’s corporate objective of high quality Council services.

7. The need, as part of the objectives of the Local Transport Plan, to discourage car usage and to encourage alternative methods of working and travel to work is a particularly important aspect of the Council’s car parking policy. As a priority during the next year, officers will discuss with the Council’s employees, and Members and their representatives, methods to help achieve this objective and this will include measures such as more flexible working arrangements, encouraging alternative methods of travelling to work and business travel, car-sharing, charges for staff car parking and discounted or free public transport.

CONSULTATION

8. The proposals for the 2003 Parking Places Order took into account the results of the consultation undertaken last year for the current Order.

9. The changes approved by the Executive have been formally advertised through the Traffic Regulation Order process, which invites both statutory consultees and the general public to comment.

FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPLICATIONS

10. If all the amended proposals are introduced, they will have a positive impact on income generation, which should be re-invested in the service.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

11. The relevant powers are contained in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended. The procedure for introducing Traffic Regulation Orders is set out in the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England & Wales) Regulations 1996. There is a six week period after the making of the final Order when it may be challenged in the High Court, but only on procedural grounds.

12. In placing this paper before the Executive consideration has been given to the rights set out in Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life) and Article 1 of the First Protocol (right to peaceful enjoyment of possessions) of the European Convention on Human Rights.

13. The impact this Order might have has been carefully considered. Insofar as there is an interference with the rights of third parties it is considered necessary for the protection of the rights and freedoms of the community as a whole. It is also considered that such an action is disproportional to the legitimate aim and in the public interest.

14. The Council has consulted with the Crime & Disorder facilitator and will be liasing on the detailed design of the scheme with regard to the reduction of crime through design.

OPTIONS

a. To approve the Order as advertised.

b. To introduce an amended Order that makes no provision for charging on Sundays for on street parking in Newport or in car parks designated as short stay.

EVALUATION/RISK MANAGEMENT

15. Car parking charges are always a contentious issue and there is a public perception that they are a stealth tax. To minimise this, the contribution parking revenue makes to public transport support and highway schemes should be highlighted. Better promotion of season tickets is one of the recommendations made by the Car Park Task Group as this is consistent with more open government and also defuses allegations of revenue maximisation. The establishment of a charging policy that is demonstrably linked to a demand strategy reinforces this.

RECOMMENDATIONS

16. That Option (b) above is approved.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

17. Letters of objection forwarded to Legal Services.

Contact Point :Peter Taylor, Engineering Services 823777 [email protected]

M J A FISHER

Strategic Director

Corporate and Environment Services

E FOX

Portfolio Holder for Transport