Issue - meetings

To seek approval for the revised proposal to implement linear parking charges in the Central Controlled Parking Zone and some off street car parks and note a number of associated items connected with the implementation of linear parking.

That, subject to statutory consultation in relation to changes to the Traffic Regulation Orders, the Committee for Transport & Connectivity:

1. Approved the revised linear parking proposal on the basis of Option 1 as described in Point 26.

2. Noted the comments in Point 28.

3. Delegated authority to the Executive Director, Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Chair of the Transport & Connectivity Committee to implement the approved proposals.

The Committee considered a report that sought to approve the proposal to implement linear parking charges in the Central Controlled Parking Zone and some off street car parks.  The report also asked the Committee to note a number of associated items connected with the implementation of linear parking as outlined within the report.

It was noted that this was a key decision as it involved over £500k.

The Head of Highways introduced and outlined the report.

Following Councillor questions, the officers confirmed the following:

·       With reference to mitigating the impact on the nighttime economy, the Supported Bus Services Task and Finish Group hoped to be able to fund nighttime bus services as part of their work ongoing for changes in September. There were some reservations amongst Councillors that the implementation could be delayed until after mitigations of later bus service provision.  Officers highlighted that any changes would be implemented after a TRO process which was likely to take up to 6-9 months.

·       The report and options had been presented to the Parking and Kerbside Strategy Task and Finish Group albeit it for discussion within a short timeframe.  Concerns were taken away by officers and the report revised extensively in response to the comments made.

·       A consultation event held with representatives of the night time economy venues (BARBI, BID) as well as Councillors had raised the concern that incresed parking charges could mean a significant additional cost for some workers within the nighttime economy.

·       Although modal shift was important as an intention, it was acknowledged that safety and accessibility were also important considerations.  Not all workers and participants in the nighttime economy would take a night bus if it was on offer as they require door to door transport.  Alternative solutions to this could be achieved using an improved e-scooter offer or shared minibus such as utilisation of the WestLink setup.

The report recommendations (specifying option 1 within recommendation 1) were moved by Councillor Plowden and seconded by Wilcox.

Councillor Weston moved an amendment to Recommendation 1 to read ‘approved the revised linear parking proposal on the basis of Option 2’.  There was no seconder therefore the amendment fell.

The Chair returned to the recommendations as outlined in the report.  On being put to the vote the recommendations were CARRIED with 5 voting FOR and 3 voting AGAINST.  There was 1 ABSTENTION.

It was APPROVED that, subject to statutory consultation in relation to changes to the Traffic Regulation Orders, the Committee for Transport & Connectivity:

1. Approved the revised linear parking proposal on the basis of Option 1 as described in Point 26.

2. Noted the comments in Point 28.

3. Delegated authority to the Executive Director, Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Chair of the Transport & Connectivity Committee to implement the approved proposals.