Agenda item

The Executive RESOLVED that

(i)            car parking tariff changes, as set out in Annex 1 to the agenda report, be agreed to come into effect as soon as the statutory Traffic Regulatory Order process is complete and after review and consideration of any feedback received;

(ii)          pay and display parking tariffs be introduced at Wharf Road car park, Frimley Green once the statutory Traffic Regulatory Order process is complete and after review and consideration of any feedback received;

(iii)         the temporary NHS/Carers permit be extended until 1 May 2022;

(iv)         the RingGo convenience fees be passed on to the customer;

(v)          Parking Services investigate incentives to encourage greater use of zero emission vehicles;

(vi)         charging for the first two hours of parking in Knoll Road car park be reinstated as the public realm works in the High Street have now been completed.  This will follow a statutory 3 week notice process, coming into effect on Monday 27 February 2022;

(vii)        the Parking Subsidy Season Ticket for low paid workers permit be retained as part of the revised tariffs; and

(viii)       the position in respect of Deepcut Car Park be reviewed should circumstances change.

The Executive considered a report reviewing car parking fees and charges for the Council’s off-street car parks. The report made a series of recommendations in relation to permits, season tickets, and transferring the costs of RingGo convenience charges to the service user, along with specific proposals for changes to tariffs.

It was reported that tariffs for the Camberley Town Centre car parks not been increased since 2014; furthermore, the out of town Pay & Display tariffs had not been amended since 2009. At present, only the Camberley Town Centre car parks provided a surplus and the income from Pay & Display car parking charges was insufficient each year to meet the operational costs of providing those car parks. This review aimed to get closer to a point where the out of town car parks could break even.

Members discussed the proposed increases to the tariffs for Camberley Town Centre car parks, which related to Main Square car park and Knoll Road car park, and indicated a degree of support for increasing the tariffs. The proposals included the removal of the temporary free parking at Knoll Road introduced during the High Street redevelopment works. The Executive noted suggestions that future reviews look at phasing out the separate Sunday rate and introducing options for differential charging in car parks. Having heard suggestions that the town centre car parks should include a period of free parking, Members were reminded that free parking was available at on-street parking bays within the town, for up to 30 minute periods.

The proposed changes to tariffs for the borough’s out of town car parks were reviewed. In relation to Bagshot car park, Burrell Road car park (Frimley), Chobham car park, and Watchetts Road, it was proposed to retain a free first hour of parking and introduce a new tariff for 2 hours parking. Existing tariffs would be increased and weekend charges introduced.

It was advised that no changes were proposed to weekday Yorktown car park tariffs as its current charges were broadly in line with proposals for the other borough-wide pay and display car parks. Also, unlike the other out of town car parks, this one did not provide any free parking period. The proposed increases to Surrey Heath House charges were also noted.

Members raised concerns that removing the second hour of free parking at Chobham car park could affect the use of the adjacent SANG. It was suggested that reducing the free parking period at this car park, which provided the only parking for the SANG, could encourage dog walkers to use Chobham Common, where parking was free, instead, thereby countering the purpose of the SANG. References were also made to the impact that reducing the period of free parking would have on use of this car park by a nearby school. In response to specific concerns raised, the Portfolio Holder undertook to confirm whether any SANG money had been used for the maintenance of Chobham car park.

The report proposed to introduce charges at Wharf Road car park, Frimley Green, with free parking for stays for up to one hour. This was intended to encourage greater turnover of spaces and deter all day parking, as the car park was currently oversubscribed with lots of commuter parking, whilst providing additional income to ensure the car park contributed to its maintenance and capital investment. Concerns were expressed that the introduction of charges could affect the use of local amenities, increase parking on residential roads by employees, and impact the parking at the doctor’s surgery and the library.

In relation to Deepcut Car Park, the Council had further explored the cost-benefit to residents of introducing a residents permits at Deepcut car park and, although no changes were proposed at the current time, it was agreed that the position would be reviewed should circumstances change.

RESOLVED that

(i)     car parking tariff changes, as set out in Annex 1 to the agenda report, be agreed to come into effect as soon as the statutory Traffic Regulatory Order process is complete and after review and consideration of any feedback received;

(ii)   pay and display parking tariffs be introduced at Wharf Road car park, Frimley Green once the statutory Traffic Regulatory Order process is complete and after review and consideration of any feedback received;

(iii)  the temporary NHS/Carers permit be extended until 1 May 2022;

(iv)  the RingGo convenience fees be passed on to the customer;

(v)   Parking Services investigate incentives to encourage greater use of zero emission vehicles;

(vi)  charging for the first two hours of parking in Knoll Road car park be reinstated as the public realm works in the High Street have now been completed.  This will follow a statutory 3 week notice process, coming into effect on Monday 27 February 2022;

(vii)    the Parking Subsidy Season Ticket for low paid workers permit be retained as part of the revised tariffs; and

(viii)  the position in respect of Deepcut Car Park be reviewed should circumstances change.