Report of Executive Director (Finance and Resources)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Finance and Resources) setting out the proposed parking fees & charges for 2025/26 and the statutory requirements required in advance of any subsequent implementation.

Resolved:

1. That the proposed parking fees & charges as set out in Appendices A, B and C of the submitted report, be approved. The changes must be effective from 1st April 2025.

2. That authority be delegated to officers to progress and implement the required Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) changes. This includes the statutory consultation required to inform customers of the proposals and implement the relevant Traffic Regulation Orders formalising all amendments (where required).

3. That authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Environment and Place) and/or the Director of Infrastructure and Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Corporate Strategy (Leader of the Council) to make the necessary Traffic Regulation Orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as amended), subject to receiving no objections. 

4. Where objections are received to the advertised Traffic Regulation Orders, under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as amended), these will be referred to Traffic Regulation & Working Party (TRWP) and Cabinet Committee for consideration and a decision.

5. That the budget implications of these proposals as detailed in the submitted report and that these proposals will be considered and set as part of the budget setting process for the 2025/26 financial year, be noted.

6. That it be noted that the costs associated with implementing these changes will need to be met from existing budgets. The intention is for all signage changes to be funded from Capital which has been allocated in the Capital Investment Programme for this purpose and all Traffic regulation Order (TRO) requirements to be funded from revenue.

Reasons for decision:

1. The primary reason for charging for parking is to effectively manage kerb-side space and demand, in both central on-street locations and car parks as well as residential and business areas. Effective parking management will aim to support wider transport policy objectives, ensuring that on- and off-street space is used more effectively.

2. Effective management of parking provision is recognised as making a significant contribution to reducing congestion, whilst supporting access to residents, visitors and businesses. In turn this supports the Council’s network management duty under the Traffic Management Act 2004.

3. These proposals are expected to further encourage footfall and visitors to the city beyond existing levels, whilst ensuring charges are applied consistently and fairly across Southend. 

Other options:

1. To retain the existing parking fees and charges which may not deliver increased footfall or income.

2. To amend some, or all these proposals and alternative savings be identified and to decide to just apply an inflationary increase to all current parking fees & charges.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Not eligible for call-in

Cabinet Member: Cllr Cowan