Agenda item - Parking Annual Report 2012-13

Report of the Executive Director of Environment, Development & Housing (copy attached).

1.         That the Committee endorses the publication of the Parking Annual

            Report for 2012-13 under the provisions of the Traffic Management Act 2004.

2.         That the Committee authorises the Head of Transport Operations to

produce and publish the report which will be made available on the Council’s website.

27.1         The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Environment, Development & Housing that requested approval of the Parking Annual Report 2012-13 detailing the performance of Parking Services for submission to the Department for Transport and for general publication under the provisions of the Traffic Management Act 2004.

27.2         Councillor Cox asked why page 75 of the agenda appeared blank.

27.3         The Policy & Development Manager clarified that this was an error printing the agendas and that he would circulate the missing page via email to Members.

27.4         Councillor Daniel asked if the information could be presented in a more user-friendly manner in future so as to be clearer for members of the public who often took great interest in parking revenue and spend.

27.5         The Policy & Development Manager replied that the current format adhered to British Parking Association best practice writing guidance and certain elements had to be presented in a certain way to allow comparative analysis with other authorities. However, other elements could be reviewed in liaison with members of the public for next years report.

27.6         Councillor Sykes enquired what ‘Dispensation Permits’ were used for and sought assurance that the savings made by the council parking enforcement contractor would not result in a negative impact on how the service was delivered.

27.7         The Policy & Development Manager replied that Dispensation Permits were usually, but not exclusively, provided to social workers to permit parking close to or on double yellow lines where they needed close access to a property. The Policy & Development Manager added that the savings had been identified in the tender of the contract and would be made by using resources more intelligently. Amongst others, this included the provision of bicycles to enforcement officers in order for their areas to cover a wider distance and significant savings in ICT systems.

27.8         Councillor Simson asked if there would be an upcoming report on the work recently completed on Lewes Road.

27.9         The Head of Transport clarified that there would be a report assessing the changes submitted to the Committee in approximately twelve months time. This was a standard timeframe to allow the scheme to ‘bed-in’ and analysis made.

27.10    Councillor Simson noted that the authority now offered concessionary taxi fares as well as concessionary bus fares. Councillor Simson asked if the cost of doing both was included in the total figure provided at page 71.

27.11    The Policy & Development Manager confirmed that both costs were included in the totals.

27.12    Councillor Sykes commended the report that he believed was positive for motorists including shorter and fewer waiting lists and a reduction in the Penalty Charge Notice’s issued.

27.13    Councillor Davey re-iterated the statement made by Councillor Sykes. He believed the report to be helpful to the public particularly its analysis of how the parking surplus was used.

27.14    RESOLVED-

1.         That the Committee endorses the publication of the Parking Annual Report for 2012-13 under the provisions of the Traffic Management Act 2004.

2.         That the Committee authorises the Head of Transport Operations to produce and publish the report which will be made available on the Council’s website.