SUMMARY/PURPOSE

1. To consider consultation responses to the draft Parking Places Order and approve any appropriate modifications.

BACKGROUND

2. In December 2005, Cabinet considered a Blue Paper (E2/05) prepared by the Policy Commission for Economy, Tourism, Regeneration and Transport that set out options for a £50 Parking Permit for Island Residents.

3. Officers were subsequently tasked with reviewing the Parking Order to facilitate such a permit and deliver a value for money system for implementation with the 2006/07 budget. This was undertaken in conjunction with the Cabinet member for Environment, Transport & Planning and the resultant proposals were formally advertised through the Traffic Regulation Order process in February and are set out in Appendix B.

STRATEGIC CONTEXT

4. The delivery of the Island resident’s £50 permit and supporting strategy contained in the Parking Places Order are a Manifesto commitment intended to contribute towards the corporate objectives of Driving the Sustainable Economic Regeneration & Development of the Island through having an accessible, effective and integrated transport system for the Island; and having more prosperous individuals and business. By ensuring that all services are cost effective and offer maximum value for money, it also supports the corporate objective of running a High Performing Cost Effective Council.

5. The control and management of parking is an important measure within the demand management strategy of the Local Transport Plan and contributes to the Council’s statutory duties under the Traffic Management Act.

CONSULTATION

6. All elected members; all Town & Parish Councils; Newport and Ryde Forums; Fire & Rescue Service; Ambulance Service; Chamber of Commerce; Freight Transport Association; IW Taxi Association; Post Office; RAC; Road Haulage Association; Ramblers Association; Southern Gas Networks; Southern Vectis, and Wightbus. Proposals were advertised on 3^rd February 2006 for general public comment. The responses are set out in Appendix A to this report.

FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPLICATIONS

Financial / Reputational Risk Assessment by Assistant Chief Executive

Nature of risk	Options A & B*	Options C & D**	Possible controls
High take-up of permits for residential parking purposes: Financial – loss of seasonal income Reputational – commuters and shoppers unable to find spaces Economic – loss of town centre trade	1x1= 1	4x4= 16	All options: Offset potential loss of income by increasing the scope of non-permit charges: · 12 month season · 7 day week · 24 hour day · All viable on and off street locations Option C&D only: On-going budget provision of £1m plus identified one-off cover of £800,000. A mechanism to change the rules at short notice if necessary, clearly flagged up at point of sale.
Change in on-street parking patterns: Financial – permit holders stop using on-street	2x2= 4	2x2= 4
Loss of seasonal income attributable to residents: Financial – some seasonal users may be residents and therefore may buy permits	1x3= 3	1x3= 3
Error in assumptions about current parking patterns: Financial – if frequency of current usage has been understated, then losses will be higher	1x3= 3	1x3= 3
Error in assumptions about ratio of pensioners: Financial: - if ratio of discounted permits is higher than assumed	1x2= 2	1x2= 2

Risk score methodology:

Impact	x	Likelihood	=	Risk
1 – Low, under £250,000		1 – Very unlikely
2 – Medium, under £500,000		2 – Possible
3 – High, under £1m		3 – Probable
4 – Catastrophic, over £1m		4 – Very likely

* Option B is less expensive than A but not massively so (£20K upwards)

** Option C is less expensive than D (<£20K)

8. To mitigate these, an increase in ad hoc parking charges has been proposed and a sum of £900,000 included in 2006/07 budget to offset reductions in car park income.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

9. No legal implications were identified by Highways professionals, with reference to Highways legislation.

10. Legislation pertaining to the equality of pension entitlements would suggest that “pensionable age” should be standardised at 60 years of age, to bring entitlements in line with bus-pass eligibility on the Island.

11. The Local Government Act 1999 requires Councils to deliver Best Value in service delivery. The Options were reviewed using the Council’s Value for Money checklist and both options were judged to offer improved service accessibility, at lower cost, making the service easier and cheaper to use for island residents. As such both options were judged to offer improved value for money for the car parking services of the Council.

OPTIONS

12. To implement the Parking Places Order as advertised.

13. To implement a modified Parking Places Order.

EVALUATION/RISK MANAGEMENT

14. The relevant risks and their evaluation are set out in Blue Paper E2/05.

RECOMMENDATIONS

15. That in accordance with Para.14 above, the Order is implemented with the following amendment:

· That a four day Coach / HGV Permit be made available at a cost of £60.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

16. Local Transport Plan, Letters of objection referred to in Appendix A.

17. Blue Paper E2/05 - £50 Residents’ Parking Permit for Council Car Parks.

APPENDICES

18. Appendix A – Summary of Representations

Appendix B - Copy of Public Notice

Contact Point: Peter Taylor, Traffic & Transportation Manager Tel x 5763 email : [email protected]

MR PETER TAYLOR

Traffic & Transportation Manager

CLLR IAN WARD

Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Planning