Agenda item

This report considers the parking charges for the coming year and is requesting comments on proposals that all permit charges remain at 2013/14 levels.  It is proposed that residential parking bay suspension and dispensation charges and shop mobility charges also remain the same but the on and off-street parking charges are increased by a minimum of 10p for each 30 minute and 1 hour duration for on and off-street parking respectively.

(Copy attached)

The Traffic Management Advisory Committee considered a report on the parking charges for the coming year and was requesting comments on proposals that all permit charges remain at 2013/14 levels. It was proposed that residential parking bay suspension and dispensation charges and shop mobility charges also remained the same but the on and off-street parking charges were increased by a minimum of 10p for each 30 minute and 1 hour duration for on and offstreet parking respectively.

Mr Morgan addressed the Committee in his capacity as a local resident and noted that the officer’s report was unclear as to what the charges would be and did not identify why the parking charges increases were needed. He also explained that the increase in parking charges would impact the local businesses and that the highstreets were already suffering within the Borough.

In response to the queries raised by Mr Morgan the Parking Design Manager explained that the standard rate for a 30 minute stay was being increased from 20p to 30p. He also noted that it was not being proposed that the one hour free parking in District Centres was to be removed and would therefore have an insignificant impact on small businesses.

In response to Councillor Hoar it was explained that there were increased complaints received regarding the number of permits granted to properties; therefore, the introduction of restriction to two permits per household was in response to this. It was added that currently only 26 households within the Borough had three or more permits and these would not be taken away if the charges were agreed by the Committee. The Chair added that Croydon Council should not allow one household to purchase three permits as there was limited spaces within the Borough and spaces could not be guaranteed.

Councillor Canning stated that it was positive to retain the one hour free parking in District Centres and inquired whether this was being the practise in neighbouring Boroughs. The Parking Design Manager confirmed that the parking charges were very similar to those in Kingston and Sutton.

That the Traffic Management Advisory Committee RESOLVED to provide comments to the Acting Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Regeneration (job share) regarding proposals as detailed within the report, namely:

1.1         That charges for Parking Permits identified in Appendix A remain at 2013/14 levels.

1.2         To remove the option of a 3^rd residents’ permit at a household except in cases of permit renewals.

1.3         To continue the 1 hour free parking arrangement for district and local centre Pay & Display only parking bays.

1.4         Increase charges for commercial parking bay suspensions and parking dispensations detailed in paragraph 3.14 and identified in Appendix B.

1.5         Increase charges for Temporary Traffic Management Orders and Special Event Traffic Management Orders detailed in paragraph 3.15 and identified in Appendix B.

1.6         Increase Pay & Display / Pay by Phone charges in on-street bays by the minimum coinage of 10p for each 30 minute period and off-street car parks by 10p for each 60 minute period.

1.7         Increase Housing Residents’ and Visitor Permits as outlined in paragraphs 3.6 to 3.8.