Agenda and minutes

The Group to be notified of any substitute members.

The PDG was notified that Councillor Ashberry was substituting for Councillor Dilks for this meeting only.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Smith

Members are asked to disclose any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting.

No interests were disclosed.

                                                                                                                   (Enclosure)

The action notes from the meeting held on 4 October 2012 were agreed as a correct record and noted.

·         Cycle centre (Property Development Manager)

·         Grounds maintenance issues (Community Engagement and Policy Development Officer/Principal Democracy Officer)

Cycle Centre

At its meeting on 4 October 2012, the PDG recommended that the cycle centre should be subject to additional advertisement. The facility would be promoted in conjunction with the developing Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Further engagement with the wider community was also required.

Grounds maintenance issues

The grounds maintenance issues raised on 4 October 2012 in relation to overgrown planting and grass verges was referred to the Scrutiny Committee and would form part of its considerations on the grounds maintenance contract at its next meeting on 27 November 2012.

Report number HOF210 by the Head of Finance presented by the Strategic Director – Corporate Focus.                                                                                                                  (Enclosure)

·         Development Management Service Manager – pre-application advice

·         Property Development Manager – car parking

·         Waste and Recycling Service Manager – green waste/bulky waste/MOTs

The Strategic Director introduced report number HOF210 and explained that it provided a high level look at fees and charges. The PDG would continue the work it began on 4 October 2012 in respect of fees and charges and receive updates on proposed fees and charges for 2013/14.

Car parking

The Property Development Manager summarised the outcome of the Communities Policy Development Group’s strategic car parking review. He summarised the scope of the review, the arrangements for the introduction and management of civil parking enforcement and possible new methods for payment (payment via mobile phone). He also explained that the PDG’s work was informing a new car parking strategy, which would manage demand, support the vitality and vibrancy of local economies and seek to promote more sustainable transport choices.

One outcome of the Communities PDG’s review was that they did not feel there was sufficient differential between all day parking in long-stay and short-stay car parks. It was suggested that the cost for parking all day in long-stay car parks should be reduced from £3.00 to £2.90 and the charge for parking all day in a short stay car park should be increased from £4.00 to £4.20 in an attempt to influence behaviour. Councillors discussed the proposal. Some members suggested that there should not be any increase in charges while others suggested that the price differential would need to be greater to influence parking behaviour. Instead councillors considered the introduction of a maximum stay period of three hours for short-stay car parks.

Councillors also discussed car parking in Bourne. To manage the turnover of parking spaces it had been suggested that parking orders imposing a maximum stay of 30 to 60 minutes should be applied at the Bourne Corn Exchange. This would ensure facilities were available at the Corn Exchange when the Bourne Community Access Point was opened. Orders on other car parks could be for four or eight hours. This would be managed through the introduction ticketing machines against which no charge would be made.

Recommendation

That Parking Orders should be applied to Bourne car parks from April 2013 which would impose a maximum stay period.

PDG members briefly considered the potential impact of CPE. Trends in other areas following the introduction of CPE had shown increased occupancy of car parks as a consequence of on-street parking enforcement.

Recommendation

Car parking charges should remain static and be reviewed 6-months after the introduction of Civil Parking Enforcement.

Bus stations

The Property Development Manager proposed that there should be no change in fees and charges for bus stations. Prices had been increased in 2012/13; further increases could deter bus companies from picking up or dropping off at the bus station and potentially the cancellation of some services. PDG members also expressed concern that any increase in charges could lead to increases in fares for passengers. Councillors were keen that bus services should be affordable.

Recommendation

That there should be no increase in respect of fees and charges for bus stations within  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

The meeting was closed at 17:03.