Agenda item

Councillor Oliver Donachie, the Cabinet Member for the Economy and Skills, and Councillor Garry Perkins, the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, and the Corporate Director Resources and Growth, submitted a joint report setting out the recommended draft Town Centre Car Parking Strategy for consideration and seeking Cabinet’s agreement to the commencement of consultation on the Strategy, to include consultation on the level of parking charges. The report also recommended some immediate measures aimed at addressing anti-social behaviour affecting the usage of town centre car parks.

It was noted that the Town Centre Car Parking Strategy was last reviewed in 2011 and, with regeneration projects within the town centre progressing, it was considered timely that it be updated.

Following his introduction of the report, Councillor Donachie, with Councillor Garry Perkins, the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, responded to questions put by Councillors Steve Allsopp, Jane Milner-Barry and Bob Wright regarding:

·        The proposed closure of the Granville Street car park and the need to ensure the retention of a range of car parking facilities in that area to support local commerce.

·        The status of proposals for the future development of the Granville Street car park.

·        The anticipated effect of increased car parking charges on footfall in the town centre.

·        The outcome of consultation with InSwindon and the Brunel Centre Management on proposed car parking increases.

·        Car parking capacity and proposals to ensure there will be sufficient car parking provision for increased residential development in the Town Centre.

·        The definitions of “sufficient” and “adequate”, as used in the car parking strategy.

·        The strategy objective of minimising the impact of town centre car parking on surrounding residential areas and the opportunity to revisit the strategy in the event of unintended consequences on wards adjacent to the town centre being identified.

Resolved – (1) That the draft Town Centre Car Parking Strategy, as summarised in section 3.5 of the report, and set out in full at Appendix One to the report, be approved for consultation purposes.

(2) That the Corporate Director Resources and Growth, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Economy and Skills, the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, and the Head of StreetSmart, be authorised to implement the following measures:

a)   To commence consultation on increasing the parking charges.

b)   Dependent on the outcome of the consultation, to adopt a new schedule of charges for 2018/19.

c)    To make provision within the Council’s budget for 2017/18 for up to £160,000, to immediately implement the measures outlined in paragraph 3.7.3 of the report and Action Plan measure S1, with the aim of enhancing the quality of the Council’s town centre parking stock including the provision of extra cleaning staff.

d)   To allocate a budget of £160,000 per annum from 2018/19, funded from increased parking charges, to support the enhanced quality of the Council’s town centre parking stock as outlined in paragraph 3.7.3 of the report and Action Plan measure S1.

The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.