1. Purpose of the report and policy context

1.1 The purpose of this report is to update the Committee on the progress of the recent resident parking scheme consultation.

1.2 This report outlines the findings of the recent consultations with residents in the Zone U (Coombe Road area) and Southall Avenue.

2. Recommendations

2.1 That the Committee having taken account of all duly made representations and comments, agrees there will be no change to the days and times of operation in Zone U (Coombe Road area).

2.3 That the Committee having taken account of all duly made representations and comments, agrees to proceed to the next stage of the detailed design for the Southall Avenue. This will consist of a consultation to join the existing light touch parking scheme Zone U (Coombe Road area).

3. Context and background information

3.1 The parking scheme consultations were undertaken in accordance with the parking scheme priority timetable programme, which was agreed at this Committee following various petitions and deputations.

4. Analysis and consideration of alternative options

4.1 The main alternative options are doing nothing which would mean that the various parking scheme consultations/reviews would not be taken forward or consulting on a different option.

4.2 It is, however, recommended by officers to proceed with the recommendations for the reasons that are outlined within the report.

5. Community engagement and consultation

Zone U (Coombe Road area) Review

5.1 The Zone U (Coombe Road area) parking scheme was implemented in December 2020. It was agreed in the parking scheme priority timetable set in 2019 that the area would be reviewed a year after its implementation. This resident parking scheme is currently a light touch parking scheme with restrictions operating Monday – Friday, 10 – 11 am and 5 – 6 pm.

5.2 A consultation letter from the Council was sent to all households in Zone U. This included 2478 property addresses within the boundary of Zone U residents parking scheme. A letter was sent to each address inviting them to go online to complete a questionnaire. 346 valid responses were received. The consultation ran from 1 December 2022 to 13 January 2023. A summary of the results is shown in the table below.

Number of properties mailed	2478
Consultation response rate	346 (14%)
Satisfied or very satisfied with the scheme	217 (64%)
Happy for the scheme to remain the same	247 (72%)

5.3 Analysis undertaken of all the responses received from respondents and the full results analysis of the including road-by-road results and area plan is outlined in Appendix A.

5.4 Officers attended a meeting with Ward Councillors to discuss the background and details of the scheme.

Southall Avenue

5.5 The committee agreed to consult this area at the same time as the Zone U (Coombe Road area) review to see whether there was support within this area for a resident parking scheme.

5.6 Brighton & Hove City Council Land and Property Gazetteer was used to provide 90 property address in Southall Avenue. A letter with questionnaire and return envelope was sent to each address. 17 (19%) responses were received. The consultation ran from 1 December 2020 to 13 January 2023.

Number of properties mailed	90
Consultation response rate	17 (19%)
Support for joining Area U	15 (88%)
Support for keeping Southall Avenue as it is without parking restrictions	2 (12%)

5.7 Analysis undertaken of all the responses received from residents and the full results analysis of the consultation including the results are outlined in detail in Appendix B.

5.8 Officers attended a meeting with Ward Councillors to discuss the background and details of the scheme.

6. Conclusion

6.1 As set out in the body of the report and the recommendations.

6.2 Following agreement at Budget Council in February 2023, a proposal is being taken forward for all existing light-touch parking schemes to become full touch parking schemes (Monday to Sunday, 8 am – 8 pm) as part of a 5 year programme. The parking consultation process was carried out within the Zone U (Coombe Road area) and Southall Avenue prior to the decision made at Budget Council. This scheme is included within the proposed 5 year programme which is being presented separately in a report to this Committee.

7. Financial Implications

7.1 The costs associated with the recommendations of this report will be contained within existing Parking Services budgets and/or funded from additional parking income generated.

7.2 Use of surplus income from parking charges and penalty charges is governed by section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Once the direct costs of traffic management have been met, the use of surpluses is legally ringfenced to the provision of public transport services and to road, air quality and environmental improvements.

7.3 Parking charges are subject to the Council’s Corporate Fees and Charges Policy. As a minimum, charges will be reviewed annually as part of the budget and service planning process.

Name of finance officer consulted: David Wilder Date consulted: 24/05/23

8. Legal implications

8.1 The Council regulates traffic by means of orders made under the Road
Traffic Regulation Act 1984. The procedure for making such orders is
contained in the Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and
Wales) Regulations 1996 which require public notice of proposed orders to
be given and for the relevant documents to be placed on deposit for public
inspection. Any person may object to the making of an order.
The Council’s Constitution provides that decisions on TROs are made by
Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee where there are either
six or more unresolved objections or the matter has been called in.

Name of lawyer consulted: Katie Kam Date consulted: 23/05/23

9. Equalities implications

9.1 Consultation took place and the comments and wishes of the respondents were taken into account when considering what changes would best meet the needs of those local population. Engagement with a wide range of residents has been built into the process from the start including an equality monitoring form. The use and analysis of data and engagement has informed the project to ensure it meets the needs of the local population. The proposed measures will be of benefit to many road users.

10. Sustainability implications

10.1 Parking schemes can help to encourage less polluting travel options and reduce emissions. In addition, congestion can affect the reliability of journey times and long-term parking can reduce accessibility. Parking schemes can help to encourage alternative transport choices and higher turnover of spaces. Better accessibility through a high turnover of vehicles being parked helps to support local businesses.