Apologies for absebce were received from Councillors L Hyde (substitute: Councillor A Jones), J Moyies (substitute: Councillor L Salter) and D Poulton (substitute: Councillor R McMullan).

The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(i) Minute No. 9 (Southend on Sea High Street – Restricted Parking Zone) – Owns a business in Alexandra Street.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday, 30^th May 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

The Working Party received a report of the Executive Director (Environment & Place) regarding the petition received via the Council’s E-petition facility seeking the cessation of the increase in operational charging hours ging hours from 6.00pm to 9.00pm along the seafront (Zone 1A).

During the debate, the Council’s Head of Major Infrastructure undertook to provide written responses, where possible, to the following questions;

- Whether 584 signatures on a petition was to be a high number;

- How may signatures had been received by 30 May 2024 when the new operational hours had been agreed;

- How many residents of the City who had signed the petition had signed up to the Southend Pass;

- The estimated loss of revenue from the additional parking spaces that had been previously identified and not yet installed.

Resolved:-

That the e-petition be noted and that Cabinet Committee be recommended that no further action be taken in respect of it.

This item was withdrawn from the Agenda.

The Working Party received a report of the Executive Director (Environment & Place) that sought approval to introduce a Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ), to support the recent implementation of the recent pedestrian zone, within the area of the Southend-on-Sea High Street as set out in paragraph 3.1 of the submitted report, including the use of bollards in the High Street.

The report also sought approval to recommend to the Cabinet Committee that the Executive Director (Environment & Place), Director of Infrastructure and Environment or the Head of Major Infrastructure to commence the statutory consultation and prepare any appropriate orders required to implement the proposals.

During the debate, the Council’s Head of Major Infrastructure undertook to circulate the following information:

- Whether traders would be able to purchase permits to use within the loading bays in this area;

- What signage would be used as part of this scheme;

- the timeline for implementing the scheme.

Resolved:-

That Cabinet Committee be recommended:

1. That the proposals for the RPZ within the locations identified within Southend-on-Sea High Street area (as set out in paragraph 3.1 of the submitted report), to support the recent implementation of the recent Pedestrian Zone (a Moving Traffic Order) also covering the same area, including the use of bollards on the High Street, be approved.

2. That the Executive Director (Environment & Place), Director of Infrastructure and Environment or the Head of Major Infrastructure be authorised to commence the statutory consultation and prepare any appropriate orders required to implement the proposals, and subject to there being no valid representations received during the statutory consultation period, to arrange for the orders to be confirmed and the scheme implemented.

The Working Party received a report of the Executive Director (Environment & Place) regarding the proposed new Southend-on-Sea City Council staff permit types, which aim to align with the recently implemented work style classifications of Council employees, and the introduction of Electric Vehicle bays into the Off-Street Order for all car parks across the City.

It was noted that as part of the new work style classification project, it would be necessary to restrict public parking in Civic East car park. Public parking would only be available at weekends and on public holidays at this location.

The report also sought approval to recommend to the Cabinet Committee that the Executive Director (Environment & Place), Director of Infrastructure and Environment or the Head of Major Infrastructure to commence the statutory consultation and prepare any appropriate orders required to implement the proposals.

Resolved:-

That Cabinet Committee be recommended:

1. That the removal of previous staff permit types and the introduction of proposed new staff parking permit types in the Off-Street Order, as well as the restriction of public access to the Civic East car park from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) be approved.

2. That the introduction of Electric Vehicle bays into the Off-Street Order for all Council managed car parks across the city be approved.

3. That the Executive Director (Environment & Place), Director of Infrastructure and Environment or the Head of Major Infrastructure be authorised to commence the statutory consultation and prepare any appropriate orders required to implement the proposals, and subject to there being no valid representations received during the statutory consultation period, to arrange for the orders to be confirmed and the scheme implemented.