SUMMARY
1.
To review parking charges introduced at off street
parking places between July and October 2004.
BACKGROUND
2.
As part of last year’s Parking Places Order, charges
were introduced at a number of off street parking places that had not
previously been subject to pay and display.
These are set out in Table A.
3.
Although consistent with the Council’s Local Transport
Plan and Parking Strategy, there was substantial public opposition to the
proposals and continued public resistance to the charges that were subsequently
introduced.
STRATEGIC CONTEXT
4.
The Council has publicly committed itself to reviewing these charges
and adopting a different strategy towards the motorist and policies for demand
management. The removal of these
charges honours that commitment and demonstrates the Council’s determination to
make an early start on delivering what it sees as a fairer deal for motorists.
CONSULTATION
5.
No
specific consultation has been undertaken.
FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPLICATIONS
6.
An
analysis of the income to date and estimated income for the full current
financial year for the parking places concerned is set out in Table A below.
7.
There was a reported reduction in usage and income
generation at The Heights following the introduction of parking charges. In an attempt to address this problem, the
Council resolved to allow free parking at The Heights for One Card
holders. Despite this action, income
generation from The Heights remained depressed and to prevent further losses a
delegated decision was taken on the 18th May 2005 to suspend parking
charges for cars.
TABLE A
Car Park |
Date Charging Introduced |
Income up to 30/04/05 |
Estimated Income for 2005/06 |
|
Appley Park |
19/07/04 |
£14,329 |
£22,884 |
|
Puckpool Park |
19/07/04 |
£8,444 |
£13,485 |
|
The Heights, Sandown |
04/10/04 |
£24,192 |
£32,000* |
|
High Street, Carisbrooke |
18/10/04 |
£3,048 |
£5,735 |
|
Brannon Way, Wootton Bridge |
18/10/04 |
£2,461 |
£4,630 |
|
Pier Road, Seaview |
18/10/04 |
£120 |
£3,369 |
|
TOTAL |
|
£52,594 |
£82,103 |
* One Card holders are
exempt from parking charges.
8.
Engineering Services budget for 2005/06 is based on
the assumption that this estimated level of income will be achieved and the
reduction in estimated income will be managed, firstly by reallocating
resources within Service and Directorate budgets and, secondly, within the
council’s revenue budget. It is not yet
possible to identify those projects which will be given lower priority to
accommodate lower income. If the loss
of revenue proves impossible to accommodate within the existing revenue budget,
then a report will need to be taken to the full council proposing a withdrawal from the general
reserve, a decision which represents an amendment to the 2005-2006 revenue
budget.
LEGAL
IMPLICATIONS
9.
The relevant
powers are contained in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended,
and procedures are set out in the Local
Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England & Wales) Regulations 1996.
10.
In
placing this paper before the Cabinet 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.
OPTIONS
(a)
To discontinue charges at the parking places set out
in Table A above.
(b)
To discontinue charges at selected parking places
only.
EVALUATION/RISK
MANAGEMENT
11.
Part of the philosophy of introducing charges at these
locations was to address inequities in the application of parking charges and
the rationalisation of tariffs and conditions throughout the Island.
12.
It is likely that removal of charges in these areas
may give rise to requests for charges to be lifted elsewhere, however further
concessions can be resisted on the grounds that the Council has stated its intention
to introduce a £1 per week Island residents’ parking ticket and has charged the
Commission for Economy, Tourism, Regeneration and Transport with presenting a
policy to achieve this to Cabinet by December 2005. Further detailed work will be required to assess the likely
financial implications of this proposal and the wider policy issues relating to
demand management, location and provision of parking spaces and congestion.
13.
Engineering Services cash limited budget assumes a
level of income that includes the predicted revenue from the parking areas
currently under review.
|
RECOMMENDATIONS 14.
That Option (a) above is approved. |
BACKGROUND
PAPERS
15.
None were used in the preparation of this
report.
Contact
Point : Peter Taylor – Engineering
Services. [email protected]
|
MR S
MATTHEWS Head
of Engineering Services |
CLLR I WARD Cabinet Member
for Environment, Transport and
Planning Policy. |