Agenda item

For the Scrutiny committee to consider the proposed changes to car park fees and charges as part of the formal consultation process and to feedback to Cabinet any comments it wishes to make.

Cabinet member for housing and environment, Councillor David Rouane, introduced the car parking fees report.

Liz Hayden, Head of housing and environment, and John Backley, Technical Services Manager, were present to answer questions.

The report focuses on the need to balance the budget. Parking charges are currently cheaper than bus fares, with no increase since 2007 (2007 was a decrease). There are two phases to the process:

1.    Small increases across the board – 20p per hour increase and some increases to day-long parking changes – these have been advertised to be brought in on 1 December.

2.    Structural changes – public consultation in progress, and the changes will be implemented in March 2021.

Point five in the paper – structural changes:

a)    Equalise charging times – fairness. 1 hour to be free in all towns rather than varying times per town. Positive change for traders.

b)    Bring in Sunday charging to ensure parking for shoppers to improve trading (deterring people parking all day for other reasons). Limits needed on all day parking – three-hour limit.

c)    Electric vehicle spaces and concessions.

The chair reminded that questions asked should be on the consultation.

The committee commented that the proposal had good logic, but it was felt that some areas such as Henley would benefit for the changes and others might not so much, e.g Wallingford.

A discussion was had about meter feeding and the technical aspects required. Work is ongoing with SABA (car park operator) to find solutions.

A view was expressed that could the across the board price increase be 50p per hour.

A view was expressed that a free hour parking is anti-public transport. Cabinet member responded that fewer cars in town centres is a longer-term aim that he supports.

Discussion was had regarding people still choosing to park on streets or driveways rather than pay for carparks that are cheaper than station parking in Didcot. The cabinet member said that civil parking enforcement will help in future.

It was confirmed that the driver for Sunday charging is to deter all-day day tripper or weekend-long parking and encourage shoppers and give them opportunity to find a space to park.

It was expressed that one size fits all may not be ideal. It was confirmed that the whole district needed to be considered together and to make charges fair. Exceptions need a very good reason.

It was confirmed that the paper was sent to the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee, so environmental objectives were considered.

Electric vehicle charge points were discussed, and it was asked when will there be more delivered? It was confirmed that projects are in the pipeline, working with Oxfordshire County Council (OCC). It was added that enforcement powers are needed to be able to fine a combustion engine vehicle for parking in an electric charging space.

Chair added that Chinnor residents will be in the main pleased with two-hour time limits, so there is more opportunity to park. Will the limits be enforced? It was responded that this will be enforced as part of the SABA contract (car park contractor).

The consultation will be listened to, and parish and town councils can feedback. It was asked if the report could come back to scrutiny after consultation. The chair stated this needed further clarification.

The committee motioned:

Scrutiny committee notes the report on car parking fees and charges and asks Cabinet to consider the comments raised in conjunction with the report.

Officers and the Cabinet member were thanked.