Agenda item

The Chairman stated there had been a ‘call-in’ for a review of SKDC Car Parking arrangements.

Councillor Sue Woolley called the application in due to being contacted by a resident who was the holder of a blue badge who did not understand the expectations of blue badge holders in SKDC car parks.

Cabinet had implemented the decision on 2 June 2026, the decision was ‘called-in’ for clarification on the following point:

‘ Instruct officers to undertake the necessary steps pursuant to the introduction of a maximum 3 hour free parking limit at all Council Pay and Display car parks for blue badge holders’.

Councillor Sue Woolley highlighted that the resident, who is a blue badge holder works in Stamford for four hours. The decision was unclear as to whether a blue badge holder was expected to return to their car following 3 hours free parking to pay for a ticket for 1 hour.

Officers had previously clarified that blue badge holders would receive th3 hours free parking and the normal tariff would apply if the vehicle remained parking in an SKDC car park.

The Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer confirmed there was not an expectation for the individual to return to their vehicle and move it to park elsewhere. There was no restriction on the blue badge holder remaining parked in the same space beyond the free period. However, if they wished to remain in the same space beyond the free period, they would be required to pay in accordance with the tariffs of the car park.

A query was raised on whether the clarified information had been released in the public domain.

The Chairman clarified that Officers had advised that Cabinet had authorised the commencements of the process rather than implementing the scheme itself. Officers would also undertake an Equality Impact Assessment during the process, which would highlight any concerns raised by residents who are blue badge holders.

Following the closure of this meeting, Officers would commence a statutory process in line with the Road Traffic Act. A formulated process has to be followed in respect to parking order amendments, one of which was consultation with statutory consultees and the wider community.

The Cabinet Member for Property and Public Engagement confirmed he had previously clarified the 3 hour free parking at the last meeting of this Committee, whereby the Committee had a thorough debate.

Councillor Sue Woolley further highlighted her main concern was that the resident had read information in the public domain that was not clear on car parking.

Further clarification was sought on whether a blue badge holder would be required to return to the car park to buy a ticket, if they required parking for more than 3 hours or whether they could purchase their ticket upon arrival at the car park for 4 hours, but get the first 3 hours free.

The Chairman highlighted that the Equality Impact Assessment would decide how the 3-hour free parking would be managed.

The Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer confirmed that any communication within the public domain was via the decision notice, and not published via Council communications.

The 3 hours free parking would operate in a way where an individual would get a ticket from the machine or via the app for the free period. Thereafter, the individual would be required to either return to the car park to pay for a longer duration or pay via the app, which was the most convenient way to extend car parking.

Member raised concern on expecting blue badge holders to travel back to their vehicle after the 3-hour free parking, if they needed to extend the duration of their stay in the car park and did not use the app.

One Member suggested that the car parking apps take the 3-hour free parking into consideration for blue badge holders, alongside the possibility of extending the time parked in the car park.

Councillor Sue Woolley clarified the piece of information released in the public domain was released by the Grantham Journal on 5 June 2026. The Council were not responsible for any media released by Grantham Journal.

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to:

1. Scrutinise the Cabinet decision to ‘Instruct Officers to undertake the necessary steps pursuant to the introduction of a maximum 3-hour free parking limit at all Council Pay and Display car parks for blue badge holders’ considering the reasons for the call in as set out in para. 2.6 of this report.

2. For the decision in question to be implemented.