Agenda item - Public Involvement

To consider the following matters raised by members of the public:

(a)      Petitions: to receive any petitions presented by members of the public to the full Council or as notified for presentation at the meeting by the due of (10 days);

                  (i)           Reduce Parking Permit Charges

(ii)          On street parking charge increase Brighton & Hove

(b)      Written Questions: to receive any questions submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the 8 February 2019;

(c)      Deputations: to receive any deputations submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the 8 February 2019.

124(a)                   Two petitions were presented to the committee.

124.1                          Reduce Parking Permit Charges – Presented by Mr Felix Elkin

Mr Elkin considers the parking charges for Brighton and Hove to be excessive. Mr Elkin presented the petition and requested that parking charges for other cities across England be compared to Brighton and Hove City Council prices. Mr Elkin researched the total amount of revenue from parking charges and felt that the amount given to Brighton and Hove Buses could be spent elsewhere, including the reduction of parking permits for residents.

The Chairman gave the following response:

Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) was introduced in July 2001 with the aim of reducing congestion and improving traffic management. Any surplus arising from on street parking including resident permits and trader permits is spent on qualifying expenditure as governed by section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended from October 2004 by section 95 of the Traffic Management Act 2004. The surplus generated from charges after direct costs contributes towards the part funding of bus subsidies, concessionary bus fares and Local Transport Plan costs.

The proposed 2019/20 fees follow a review of parking demand in the city and the objectives set out in the Council’s Local Transport Plan. Improving air quality is a key objective in Brighton & Hove. Nationally, poor air quality reduced average life expectancy in the UK by over 6 months and is responsible for approximately 50,000 premature deaths annually. In some parts of Brighton & Hove, levels of nitrogen oxides are double European and English legal limits. As part of a range of measures to improve air quality, such as the introduction of a Low Emission Zone, parking charges / costs in this area can help to encourage less polluting travel options and reduce emissions.

Sunday parking and also parking between the period of 6pm - 8pm are still very high demand times and reducing these times / days could cause congestion and accessibility issues if they were to become unrestricted. When consulting on resident parking schemes the Council do offer a number of alternatives including Monday to Friday restrictions or restrictions for just parts of the day e.g. a Light touch parking scheme. However, if a majority of residents of a particular resident parking zones do require a reduction in the hours or days then this could be considered as a future parking scheme review but would need a signed petition to allow the Council to gauge the support for this consultation taking place so it can be considered for inclusion in the priority parking scheme timetable.

The committee agreed to accept the petition.

124.2                          On Street Parking Charges Increases, Brighton and Hove – Presented by Ms Michelle Guyatt.

Ms Guyatt felt that the on street parking charges were prohibitive and stopping tourists from visiting the city. Ms Guyatt also felt that the charges were an excessive income stream for Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC). Ms Guyatt had estimated running figures and increased income for the Council since charges were increase. Ms Guyatt felt that was unhappy about current charges and the fines issued for non-compliance.

The chairman gave the following response:

Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) was introduced in July 2001 with the aim of reducing congestion and improving traffic management. Any surplus arising from on street parking is spent on qualifying expenditure as governed by section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended from October 2004 by section 95 of the Traffic Management Act 2004. The surplus generated from charges after direct costs contributes towards the part funding of bus subsidies, concessionary bus fares and Local Transport Plan costs.

The proposed 2019/20 fees follow a review of parking demand in the city and the objectives set out in the Council’s Local Transport Plan. Improving air quality is a key objective in Brighton & Hove. Nationally, poor air quality reduced average life expectancy in the UK by over 6 months and is responsible for approximately 50,000 premature deaths annually. In some parts of Brighton & Hove, levels of nitrogen oxides are double European and English legal limits. As part of a range of measures to improve air quality, such as the introduction of a Low Emission Zone, parking charges in this area can help to encourage less polluting travel options and reduce emissions.

In addition, congestion in the central area can affect the reliability of journey times and long term parking can reduce accessibility and the turnover of spaces. Parking charges 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.

As with on-street parking charges, the proposed fees for off-Street parking are considered to be at a level which reflects the Council’s traffic management objectives, particularly to reduce congestion in the city centre and promote alternative forms of transport.

The committee agreed to accept the petition.

124 (b)           Written Questions

124.3   No written questions had been received.

124 (c)            Deputations

                        124.4  No deputations had been received.