To consider and approve new parking charges and hours of charging to apply in council car parks and on street pay and display.

To continue with a review of parking operations, including cashless payment methods and service delivery.

That:

(a)       Parking charges and hours of operation of council car parks and on street pay and display are amended, as shown in appendix 3, to take effect on or after 3^rd May 2021 are approved;

(b)       Officers to progress a further review of parking operations including cashless payment methods and service delivery, with the outcome of such review subject to a further decision to be delegated to the Director - Economy and Place, and

(c)  Authority is delegated, to the Director - Economy and Place to annually decide any parking concession offered for the Christmas period in consultation with the Cabinet Member - Infrastructure.

A General increase to charges

1.         This is not being recommended as it does not lead to a simplification of parking charges which will be of benefit to drivers as outlined below.

Do nothing

2.         This is not being recommended as this will result in the same charges continuing and will not resolve the issues explored during the countywide review of parking charges with the benefits of simplified charges. This would also not enable the increase in charges to be applied which will maintain the cost of parking relative to other sustainable modes of transports.

Delay this decision or implementation

3.         This is not being recommended as it is essential that the benefits of better car parking management as outlined in this report are delivered in order to continue to deliver on the councils overall objectives.

Reduce parking charges

4.         A reduction in parking charges is not being recommended as this is likely to result in an increase in the occupancy of parking spaces, which could be at the detriment of space availability and an increase in extraneous private vehicle traffic.

5.         Any reduction in parking charge income may have an effect on the council’s ability to maintain current provision in highway maintenance and public transport.