Issue - items at meetings - Closure of Brighton Parking Information Centre - Improvement of Services

Report of the Director of Environment (copy attached).

1.     That the Cabinet Member approves the centralisation of Parking Information Services to Hove Town Hall and closure of North Road Parking Information Centre by the end of September 2008.

52.1       The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Environment concerning the closure of the Brighton Parking Information Centre and the centralisation of Parking Information Services to Hove Town Hall (for copy see minute book).

52.2       The Cabinet Member stated that the report explained that through the transfer of Brighton Parking Information Centre to better facilities in Hove, the Council would be making the best use of available resources. The relocation of all parking front office staff to one location would also reduce queues and provide much improved facilities for disabled access and Blue Badge holders. The Cabinet Member added that he was pleased that Parking Services aim to further develop their telephone, postal and online services.

52.3       In response to concerns from Councillor Mitchell, the Assistant Director for Sustainable Transport stated that information regarding the proposed closure had been available to businesses on the Council’s website and that the decision proposing the closure was largely as a result of numerous complaints received about the Brighton Parking Information Centre. In addition, the opportunity to relocate the whole service to Hove would allow vast improvements to be made at little or no cost.

52.4       RESOLVED - That having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendation:

(1)       That the centralisation of Parking Information Services to Hove Town Hall and closure of North Road Parking Information Centre by the end of September 2008 be approved.