To consider the findings arising from the Scrutiny Review of On-Street Parking.

The Committee considered the findings arising from the Scrutiny Review of On-Street Parking.

The Committee on 25th February 2008 considered a report concerning on-street parking controls in the County with a suggestion that the committee consider undertaking a review to determine whether any improvements could be made. The Committee agreed to form a review group and appointed its membership. The terms of reference for the review were subsequently drawn up.  The Review Groups report setting out its approach to its task, its findings, and recommendations was included in the agenda.

The Chairman of the Review Group, Councillor MAF Hubbard, presented the finding of the Review Group and took the Committee through the report section by section highlighting, or providing further commentary on, a number of findings and recommendations.

On considering the report the following principal points were noted:

• The Chairman of the Committee suggested that the report contained matters of interest to Hereford City Council e.g. Rec 4.a, 4.f, 4.g and 9.a and therefore they should be invited to comment prior to it being passed to the Executive.  Comment should also be sought from the Director of Resources in relation to recommendation 5.c (ring-fencing of income).
• Questioned whether a Park & Ride scheme would be effective without dedicated bus lanes the Head of Highways responded that all issues would need to be considered in the business case design for a scheme. While dedicated lanes would help they were not a priority.
• It was agreed that the various discrepancies in the Residents Parking Scheme, identified in the report, needed to be addressed.
• Referring to Rec 6.b disappointment was expressed that the initial good work in implementing School Travel Plans had not been continued now that the grants had been received by schools.

The Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) summed up by thanking the Review Group for their work in undertaking the review and commented that the report contained a lot for him to think about.  He shared the concerns about the misuse of permits under the Residents Parking Scheme.  He reported that the traffic consultant for the ESG had been commissioned by the Council to undertake a traffic needs analysis to identify future parking requirements.  The Suggestions concerning new parking technology would need examining. 

RESOLVED: That

a)        The report of the Scrutiny Review of On-Street Parking be approved;

b)        The report be forwarded to the Hereford City Council for comment, particularly in relation to recommendations 4.a, 4.f, 4g and 9a, and to the Director of Resources for comment, particularly in relation to recommendation 5.c

c)        Following receipt of the responses  from b) above the report of the Scrutiny review of On-Street Parking, together with the responses be submitted to the Executive for consideration.

d)        The Executive’s response to the Review, including an action plan, be reported to the first available meeting of the Committee after the Executive has approved its response;

e)        A further report on progress in response to the Review be made to the Committee after six months with consideration then being given to the need for any further reports to be made.