Agenda item

The Executive RESOLVED to endorse its decision at minute 87/E on 25 January 2022 on the review of parking fees and charges.

The Executive considered the feedback from the Performance & Finance Scrutiny Committee, which had considered a call-in of its decision on 25 January 2022 regarding Car Parking Tariffs. It was noted that the Committee had recommended that changes to the fee structures at the Borough Council owned car parks should go ahead, as set out in the report considered on 25 January 2022, with the exception of those proposed for Wharf Road car park and Chobham car park.

Members discussed the Committee’s recommendation that a decision on changing the fee structure at Wharf Road to be delayed to enable officers to:

a.            consult with ward councillors, local businesses and residents in the immediate vicinity of the car park.

b.            Monitor the capacity and usage of car park.

The Committee’s recommendations were reviewed and, although the recommendations had been unanimous, it was recognised that ward councillors had expressed differing views on tariffs for Wharf Road car park at that meeting. It was indicated that it was not standard practice to undertake consultations where parking charges were to be introduced. Members also expressed a lack of clarity on what would be achieved by the monitoring capacity and usage of the car park given the need to generate some income to help offset the cost of running this car park.

The Committee had also recommended that a decision on changing the fee structure at Chobham car park be delayed to enable officers to:

a.         Consult with Natural England, and other organisations as appropriate, on the impacts that the changes might have on the SSSI.

b.         Explore the possible use of SANG contributions to offset the costs of running the Chobham car park.

The Executive was informed that, since the Committee’s meeting, Natural England had confirmed in writing that the retention of an hour’s free parking would allay any concerns they may have about changes to the tariffs. It was confirmed that, in the event that Natural England altered its position, the decision would be reviewed. The proposals for monitoring any displacement from the SANG to Chobham Common were discussed. It was proposed to monitor this using Chobham car park ticket sales, but further options for monitoring the effect on the SSSI at Chobham would be considered with officers. Using CIL monies to offset the costs of running Chobham car park was not considered appropriate because CIL money had not been allocated for this purpose.

RESOLVED to endorse its decision at minute 87/E on 25 January 2022 on the review of parking fees and charges.