Report of Executive Director (Finance and Resources) attached

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Finance and Resources) presenting the General Fund Revenue Budget for 2021/22.  This item was considered by all three Scrutiny Committees.

During consideration of the report, the Executive Councillor for Transport, Capital and Inward Investment explained that revised parking proposals had been prepared after consultation with businesses and residents as set out as follows:

1.  6pm to 10pm charging on the central Seafront is to be withdrawn but enforcement is still to continue for illegal parking eg on double lines;

2.  The £24 up to 14 hours charge to be amended to £18 and this is now for 7 hours to 10 hours given the 6pm to 10pm relaxation;

3.  Zone 1A On Street. This currently goes up to 4 hours and then moves to 14 hours. It is proposed to change this in line with car parks so therefore introducing in Zone 1A on street parking a standardized 5 hour and 6 hour charge and then the 7 hour to 10 hour charge;

4.  That from the central sea-front Business feedback to equalize the charging zones for Western Esplanade and Thorpe Bay Esplanade (Warwick Rd to Maplin Way - seafront) by including Thorpe Bay Esplanade into Zone 1A;

5.  That the 50% hotel and guesthouse discount scheme remains, which will benefit tourists who stay overnight in our hotels and guesthouses. This will mean for those staying guests, of hotels and guesthouses who sign up to the scheme, a parking charge in a Zone 1A hotel area of £9 per day and in a Zone 1B hotel area of £6 per day.    

It was noted that the Council’s S151 Officer had reviewed all these proposed changes and had advised that the revised recommended budget for 2021/22, remained robust and deliverable. In addition, the proposed additional £1m income generation for parking charges overall was still achievable.

The S151 Officer had indicated that there was some increased risk with the level of income to be generated with these proposed changes and also due to the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 and the changes in parking demand on our overall income generation assumptions. The S151 Officer therefore advised that in line with the arrangements for the Southend Pass that quarterly reviews should also now be undertaken for the overall car parking income budget throughout 2021/22.

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