Agenda item - Parking Annual Report 2014-15

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

1)           That the Committee endorses the publication of the Parking Annual Report for 2014-15 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 also be made available on the Council’s website.

25.1      The Committee considered a report of the Acting Executive Director Environment, Development & Housing that requested approval of the publication of the Parking Annual Report 2014-15 for submission to the Department for Transport, Traffic Penalty Tribunal and for general publication under the provisions of the Traffic Management Act 2004.

25.2      Councillor Atkinson asked for assurance that the locations of pay and display machines were convenient now their number had been significantly reduced and that instructions for how to use the pay-by-phones were very clear, particularly for elderly people. Councillor Atkinson also noted that London Road car park was under-used on a Sunday and asked if there was any scope to encourage use of the car park.

25.3      The Policy & Development Manager stated that his team welcomed feedback on the location of pay and display machines and had acted in instances were there had been requests from members of the public for specific machines to remain in place. He added that people could also pay for parking at Paypoint locations.

25.4      The Head of Transport added that the Fees & Charges report would be presented to the committee in January that would set out the tariffs for London Road car park and an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) would be introduced in the city in the near future that would better direct people to car parks that had available spaces.

25.5      Councillor West stated that he welcomed the report and thanked officers for their hard work. Councillor West expressed his dismay that central government were intending to withdraw the option for council’s to use CCTV for prosecution particularly with regard to unsafe driving. Councillor West stated that he felt cycle parking facilities were not keeping up with demand and a proper survey of cycle ownership in the city was required to give a clear policy steer on the matter. Councillor West added that he believed businesses should also play a greater role in providing cycle parking and some were particularly poor in being aware of this need.

25.6      Councillor Robins stated his support for the pay-by-phone system that had been very useful for him as a trader moving around the city.

25.7      Councillor Theobald stated that a sign on the A23 directing drivers to London Road car park may encourage use. Councillor Theobald asked the reasons behind the decline in issuing of hotel permits year on year.

25.8      The Policy & Development Manager replied that it was difficult to be clear on the exact causes behind the decline in hotel permits particularly as visitor numbers to the city had risen. One possible cause was an increase in on-street parking via the pay-by-phone system that many visitors based in London would be familiar with.

25.9      Councillor Nemeth asked if the council had reviewed its systems and procedures in light of Coin Collection International entering administration at significant loss to the council.

25.10   The Policy & Development Manager clarified that the council had reviewed its procedures and an update had recently been reported to the Audit & Standards Committee.

25.11   RESOLVED-

1)           That the Committee endorses the publication of the Parking Annual Report for 2014-15 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 also be made available on the Council’s website.