Agenda item
Non Cabinet Members' Debate
To enable Non Cabinet Members to raise an issue of relevance to Brent for debate on which notice has been provided in accordance with Standing Order 34 and to receive reports from Cabinet members, as required, on any issues previously raised.
Members are asked to note that the subject identified for debate at this meeting is as follows:
One Hour Free Parking on Brent’s High Streets
The motion put forward as the basis for this debate has been attached.
(Agenda republished to include subject of debate and accompanying motion on 13 September 2022)
Decision:
The following motion was declared LOST and therefore not approved as the outcome of the non-cabinet member debate:
“One Hour Free Parking on Brent’s High Streets
This Council notes:
That following the pandemic local businesses have been impacted and require economic recovery support. Brent Council’s Covid-19 Recovery Strategy sets out a number of objectives to support local businesses.
The high priority highlighted by businesses in relation to parking, as part of the economic recovery support from the pandemic.
This Council believes:
The implementation of a one hour free parking scheme in on-street paid for parking bays will assist the recovery of local businesses in the borough following the pandemic and in advance of the looming cost of living crisis. This can be implemented as a temporary measure and monitored through the council’s routine parking surveys and reports.
Local businesses require economic recovery support from the pandemic. This new proposal of one-hour free on-street parking will assist, in conjunction with the Borough Plan objectives to build an economy fit for all, the Meanwhile Use strategy to assist with High Street diversification and the Council’s Small Business Saturday awards and shop local campaigns, to deliver inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
The proposal will assist in building a stronger economy and supporting local businesses as well as in safeguard jobs and creating new employment opportunities for Brent’s diverse population.
With this in mind this Council resolves:
To pledge to support local businesses in the recovery from the pandemic by providing, subject to approval of the necessary Traffic Management Orders and new tariff, the implementation of a one-hour free on street parking scheme in paid for parking bays.
To recognise that the one hour on-street parking proposal will:
· compliment the physical improvements that are taking place on Brent’s High Streets to increase footfall, dwell time and spend, by way of also providing support to local businesses and the economy; and
· Support families who are making short trips to our town centres with children and the elderly.
To continue to communicate with residents about responsible parking and walking, where possible.”
Minutes:
In accordance with Standing Order 34, the Mayor advised that the next item on the agenda was the non-cabinet member debate, with the subject chosen for consideration being the introduction of one hours free car parking on Brent’s high streets.
Members were advised that the motion submitted as the basis for the debate had been circulated with the agenda and that the time available for the debate was 25 minutes.
The Mayor then invited Councillor Mistry to introduce the motion. As context for the debate, Councillor Mistry highlighted the difficulties that small businesses had faced in the aftermath of the pandemic, as acknowledged in Brent’s Covid 19 Recovery Support Plan. As such, Councillor Mistry advised members were being asked to consider proposals for a trial implementation of a one hour free on-street parking scheme designed to encourage an increase in activity within local high streets. Highlighting the high priority identified by local business in relation to parking, it was also felt the proposal would assist in terms of supporting the Borough Plan objectives to build an economy fit for all, the Meanwhile Use strategy to assist with High Street diversification and the Council’s Small Business Saturday awards and shop local campaigns, to deliver inclusive and sustainable local economic growth whilst safeguarding jobs and creating new employment opportunities for Brent’s diverse population.
Whilst recognising the initial financial implications, Councillor Mistry felt these would be offset as a result of the longer-term economic benefits for local businesses arising from the proposal and at the same time would address the lack of parity between businesses operating along the borough boundary on Kenton Road where Harrow had introduced a free on-street parking scheme. Given the benefits identified, Councillor Mistry commended the proposal to Council for consideration.
The Mayor thanked Councillor Mistry for introducing the motion and then opened up the debate for contributions from other members.
In responding to the motion, Councillor Krupa Sheth expressed her disappointment at what she felt to be the Conservative Group’s lack of awareness and stance in relation to the climate emergency and measures being undertaken in Brent to address the position. In seeking to encourage car use she felt the proposal put forward for consideration was in direct conflict with Brent’s goal in seeking to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030 and to promote cheaper, greener, healthier and more active modes of travel such as walking, cycling or utilising public transport. In terms of wider support to local business and the economy, Councillor Krupa Sheth felt that on-street parking charges in Brent remained competitive, and felt it important to highlight how the funding generated from parking was passed back to directly support Brent residents through the Freedom Pass scheme. In closing her response Councillor Krupa Sheth reminded members of the importance placed on supporting local businesses by the Council both pre and post pandemic and for the reasons outlined therefore encouraged members to reject the proposal and motion put forward for consideration.
Councillor Mitchell also spoke in objection to the proposal, again expressing disappointment at the impact it was felt any proposals designed to encourage an increase in car journeys would have on the priority identified in tackling the climate emergency and in working towards net zero. In terms of the local economy, Councillor Mitchell highlighted the detrimental cost to businesses as a result of increased congestion and felt it would therefore be more advantageous from a health and environmental perspective to encourage more active forms of travel as a means of increasing local footfall on high streets and ensuring high streets were a more safer, attractive and cleaner environment for pedestrians to use rather than prioritising car use.
Speaking in support of the motion, Councillor Kansagra queried whether the concerns highlighted could be related more to any potential loss of parking revenue than the impact on the environment. Highlighting what he felt was a genuine need to support local businesses and employment, he considered the proposed introduction of a trial period of free on-street parking across the boroughs High Streets would greatly assist as similar initiatives had provided a boost to local businesses in neighbouring boroughs.
These comments were supported by Councillor Mistry who, in summing up, felt the proposal would demonstrate a real commitment to support local businesses and economic growth by not only encouraging passing trade but also in seeking to address the confusion for businesses operating along both sides of Kenton Road.
As there were no further contributions, the Mayor then invited Councillor Krupa Sheth, as Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Action, to summarise and close the debate.
Councillor Krupa Sheth, assured members that the objections being raised in relation to the proposal were based on a desire by the Labour Administration to prioritise the environment, health and prosperity of Brent residents rather than income generation, with members reminded that revenue achieved through on-street parking charges was invested back into the community through the Freedom Pass scheme. In concluding the debate she highlighted the efforts being made by the Council to support local businesses and for the reasons outlined urged all members to join her in rejecting the proposal put forward for consideration as the basis for debate,
The Mayor thanked all members for their contributions and then moved on to put the motion to a vote. As a result of the vote the following motion was declared LOST and therefore not approved as the outcome of the non-cabinet member debate:
“One Hour Free Parking on Brent’s High Streets
This Council notes:
That following the pandemic local businesses have been impacted and require economic recovery support. Brent Council’s Covid-19 Recovery Strategy sets out a number of objectives to support local businesses.
The high priority highlighted by businesses in relation to parking, as part of the economic recovery support from the pandemic.
This Council believes:
The implementation of a one hour free parking scheme in on-street paid for parking bays will assist the recovery of local businesses in the borough following the pandemic and in advance of the looming cost of living crisis. This can be implemented as a temporary measure and monitored through the council’s routine parking surveys and reports.
Local businesses require economic recovery support from the pandemic. This new proposal of one-hour free on-street parking will assist, in conjunction with the Borough Plan objectives to build an economy fit for all, the Meanwhile Use strategy to assist with High Street diversification and the Council’s Small Business Saturday awards and shop local campaigns, to deliver inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
The proposal will assist in building a stronger economy and supporting local businesses as well as in safeguard jobs and creating new employment opportunities for Brent’s diverse population.
With this in mind this Council resolves:
To pledge to support local businesses in the recovery from the pandemic by providing, subject to approval of the necessary Traffic Management Orders and new tariff, the implementation of a one-hour free on street parking scheme in paid for parking bays.
To recognise that the one hour on-street parking proposal will:
· compliment the physical improvements that are taking place on Brent’s High Streets to increase footfall, dwell time and spend, by way of also providing support to local businesses and the economy; and
· Support families who are making short trips to our town centres with children and the elderly.
To continue to communicate with residents about responsible parking and walking, where possible.”
Supporting documents: