Agenda item
Estate Parking Project
The report provides the Committee with an outline of the Estate Parking Project, commissioned by Housing Management and working in collaboration with the Parking and Highways teams in Environmental Services, to consider the introduction of more effective parking controls.
Minutes:
At the invitation of the Chair, Hakeem Osinaike (Operational Director Housing) introduced the Estate Parking Project report which set out the Council’s proposed solutions to estate parking. It was noted that following the Protection of Freedom Act 2012 parking on housing estates had become increasingly problematic and have restricted the Council’s ability to carry out effective enforcement action. The proposals set out in the report therefore envisioned the introduction of the first controlled parking scheme commencing with five
estates in the borough by September 2018. In acknowledging the challenges at stake, officers advised that an essential element of the new measures was the proposed increase in parking permits from £10 to £85 which was required to fund appropriate enforcement action.
In the subsequent discussion, members raised questions on the affordability of the proposed increase, the effectiveness of planned enforcement and overall consultation processes with residents. Members were particularly critical of the level of detail provided in the report, noting that many questions remained unanswered. They expressed concerns that the new parking charges may leave residents feeling penalised by the Council putting them in hardship. The Committee also questioned whether the Council had investigated fully the level of proportionality between the number of parking spaces available on each estate and number of people as well as any additional arrangements in place including exemptions for staff and short term visitors parking.
With regards to the increased charges, members heard that there was clear evidence highlighting the inadequacy of the current charges and the lack of adequate parking enforcement funding. The proposed increase was considered a viable solution which would also ensure better residents’ compliance. Officers emphasised their commitment to manage residents expectations and be clear about the implications of the changes, stressing that estates would not be obliged to take up the changes unless residents decided to do so. However, it was noted that the estates which chose not to accept the new charges would not have any parking enforcement carried out. It was noted that the £85 charge would bring the cost of parking permits in line with the CPZ scheme, without the
complex pricing schedules, with the Council reserving the right to review the cost in the future, depending on the demand and subject to consultation. Members heard that any funds raised by the parking charges would be ring-fenced within the Housing Revenue Account and would be separate from CPZ management, with any loss or profit made to be reported on.
On the issue of enforcement, officers addressed members concerns and explained that the current implementation, carried out by Wing Security, had been limited in scope and had flagged up issues imposed by the legal restrictions on accessing DVLA data. This had reduced the effectiveness of issuing penalties on unauthorised vehicles, permitting enforcement officers to target only those residents whose details were already known to the Council. In order to tackle these issues, the Council had recently extended its parking
contract with Serco to carry out enforcement on public highways and off street car parks until 2023. The committee was assured that Serco’s processes and coverage were flexible enough to accommodate a quick expansion of the parking enforcement on the Councils estates.
(8.23pm – Cllr Johnson left the meeting)
Discussion continued with officers addressing members’ concerns about availability of parking spaces. Mindful of the existing issues of parking space shortage versus the number of residents requiring permit, officers detailed the Council’s commitment to applying a fair allocation policy. It was explained that whilst permits were not a guarantee for a parking space, the Council was in the process of revising the parking space markings to ensure viability of the new proposals. Eligibility criteria would be applied accordingly, with priority given to blue badge holders and exemptions made for staff and care workers. Clear
signage informing residents that parking enforcement was in place would also be placed.
(8.35pm – Michelle Lonergan left the meeting)
Referencing the report, officers responded to members queries about the consultation process and how representative the identified five estates on were of the parking problems experienced in the borough. They explained that the initial cohort of estates referenced in point 5.3 were chosen as a starting point because were deemed to be worst affected, with a wider consultation strategy was being prepared in conjunction with Housing and Environmental Services encompassing the rest of the borough. Addressing members concerns, Mr Osinaike stated that consultation with residents was of paramount importance
to the Estate Parking Project with residents given opportunity to choose on a range of options including types of parking controls, preferred hours of operation and areas to be included.
RESOLVED:-
i. that details on the outcome of the estate parking be shared with members of the committee
ii. that First Wave Housing Board be asked to provide details on current parking arrangements within their estates and expected impact by the estate parking consultation.
iii. that a detailed cost breakdown of increased parking charges be shared with committee members
iv. that a list of registered vehicles on estate be compiled and compared against spaces available.
Supporting documents:
- 9. Estate Parking Report, item 9. PDF 117 KB
- 09a. Appendix A - Parking Services Contract, item 9. PDF 468 KB
- 09b. Appendix B - Bike Hangar Schedule 2018, item 9. PDF 11 KB