Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Robinson (substitute: Cllr Dent), Berry (substitute: Cllr Leroy), Dear (substitute: Cllr Beggs) and A Jones (substitute: Cllr Burton).

The following declaration of interest was made:

Cllr Harland – Minute 20 (Removal of 6-9pm Parking Charging and Enforcement in Zone 1A) – Business in an area effected by the parking charges).

There were no questions from the public.

Minute No. 8 (Parking Charges in Parks Car Parks)

Called in by Councillors D Cowan, A Jones and K Robinson on the grounds that it was not available for pre-Cabinet Scrutiny and from Councillors R Woodley, T Cowdrey and M Stafford to understand the financial impact on the council finances and the impact on residents living in the areas associated with the changes in parking charges.

The Committee considered Minute No. 8 of Cabinet held on 28^th June 2023, which had been call-in for scrutiny, together with the report of the Executive Director (Environment and Place) responding to the Opposition Business motion referred by Council held on 23^rd March 2023 concerning proposed changes to the Council’s charging proposals in the city’s parks car parks.

The Committee asked questions which were responded to by the Leader of the Council.  The Leader of the Council also gave his assurance that the parks maintenance budget would not be affected by the proposals.

On consideration of the matter reference back was proposed and seconded and was not carried.

Resolved:

That the following recommendations of Cabinet be noted:

“1. That the implementation of charging in the following parks car parks, be cancelled:

·       Belfairs Park, Chalkwell Park, Priory Park and Southchurch Park in the 2024/25 financial year.

·       Big Gunners Park, Little Gunners Park and Jones Memorial Ground planned for the 2023/24 financial year.

2. That a policy be produced that makes it clear that the Council’s policy is not to charge in the city’s Parks Car Parks.

3. That the funding of this proposal, as set out in the submitted report, be approved.”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Buck

Minute No. 9 (Removal of 6.00pm-9.00pm Parking Charging and Enforcement in Zone 1A)

Called in by Councillors D Cowan, A Jones, K Robinson, P Collins, C Mulroney and R McMullan on the grounds that it was not available for pre-Cabinet Scrutiny and from Councillors R Woodley, T Cowdrey and M Stafford to understand the financial impact on the council finances and the impact on residents living in the areas associated with the changes in parking charges.

The Committee considered Minute No. 9 of Cabinet held on 28^th June 2023, which had been call-in for scrutiny, together with the report of the Executive Director (Environment and Place) presenting information to enable the Council to decide on revoking its decision to charge for parking between the hours of 6pm and 9pm in Zone 1A, which Budget Council took in February 2023.

The Committee asked questions which were responded to by the Leader of the Council.  The Leader of the Council also gave his assurances that:

·       The revocation of the hours of enforcement related to the pay and display bays in Zone 1A only and that other contraventions would still be enforced.

·       The children’s fountain play area on the seafront would not be replaced/removed with any type of car parking provision (i.e. echelon / shriven parking).

·       Any future designs or features of parking would not compromise safety and any additional safety measures would be brought to the Traffic and Parking Working Party/Cabinet Committee.

On consideration of the matter reference back was proposed and seconded and was not carried.

Resolved:

That the following recommendation of Cabinet be noted:

“1. That the decision made at Budget Council in February 2023 be revoked and that charging for parking in Zone 1A between the hours of 6.00pm to 9.00pm be removed, taking into consideration the financial implications as set out in the submitted report.

2. That the temporary cessation of charges between the hours of 6.00pm to 9.00pm during the summer school holidays, pending the relevant activity required by the service, as set out in the submitted report, be approved.

3. That the proposals for the new parking bays as set out in the report be progressed, on the basis that there would be no loss of existing parking capacity from the resident parking scheme in the roads affected.

4. That a one-off budget of £40k be allocated to the parking service for the required changes to be implemented and initially funded from the Business Transformation Reserve and then reimbursed from the additional parking income.

5. That it be noted that there will be capital investment of circa £175k and initially funded from reprioritised highways schemes and then reimbursed by the additional parking income.”

Note: This is an Executive Function/Council Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Buck