Issue - meetings

Purpose of the report

To seek a delegation to appoint a contractor to undertake the proposed extension works to the Cattle Market Car Park, Stamford.

Decision

That Cabinet approves a delegation to the Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Property and Public Engagement, to appoint a contractor to undertake the extension works at the Cattle Market Car Park in Stamford.

Alternative options considered and rejected

No other sites of a similar size had been identified. An option not to extend the car park was rejected because it would leave Stamford with a continued shortage of long stay car parking.

Reasons for the decision

The Cattle Market Car Park was the primary long stay car park located on the south side of Stamford. The site currently offered 275 spaces with a further 15 disabled spaces.

A study had shown support for additional parking in Stamford. The proposed extension of the Cattle Market Car Park would provide an extra 146 spaces, of which 11 would be accessible. The extension of the site would require planning permission for which an application would be considered by South Kesteven’s Planning Committee on 7 November 2024.

Appointing a contractor to undertake the works would enable the Council to provide additional long stay car parking for Stamford. The tender was scheduled to be published at the start of November with the intention that work would begin in the New Year. The tender process was being undertaken in conjunction with Welland Procurement to ensure the process is compliant with the Council’s Contract & Procurement rules. The capital budget of £550,000 was already in place.

Note:  Councillor Charmaine Morgan left the Council Chamber for the remainder of the item as she had indicated that she was the Chairman of the Planning Committee.

The following points were highlighted during debate:

·       Free parking was planned for Grantham and Stamford on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in December in the lead up to Christmas. Parking fees had recently been rearranged to encourage parking in the District’s main four towns.

·       The proposed plans for the extension of the Cattle Market Car Park included electric vehicle charging points and disabled spaces.

·       At a recent tourism event in Stamford attended by District Councillors local businesses indicated that accommodation and parking were two major issues, therefore it was important to bring extra parking provision forward.