Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment

(a)  To align the day rate in the main tourist locations car parks during peak   and low season

(b)  To align charges in all other car parks (rural and town locations)

(c)  To align on-street parking charges in areas that already have on-street pay & display

(d)  That all current public car park permits be withdrawn and that a long stay and short stay car park permit for residents and workers in the Dorset Council area be introduced.

(e)  That Purbeck Park  car park at Nordon be revert to the level 1 parking tariff.

Reason for the decision

Dorset Council Parking Services is currently working under the Parking Orders of the former six Councils, this has led to a disparity of tariffs between areas to the extent that some areas are free to park all day and others pay £9. An alignment of the Parking Orders is necessary to standardise charges to ensure equality for residents.

Executive Decision - Phase 2 Parking Charges Transformation Project - Dorset Council

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, travel and Environment set out the purpose of the report; to seek agreement on the proposed parking charge changes. He confirmed that statutory and non-statutory consultations had taken place. Notifications had also been sent to Town and Parish Councils.

The Portfolio Holder further reported that Place and Resources Overview Committee considered a similar report which set out the details and recommendations of the phase 2 parking charges transformation project. The comprehensive notes from that meeting were attached to the Cabinet report.

In response to a question, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that he would meet with the Wimborne local councillor concerned to discuss a local issue. 

In response to a question regarding Purbeck Park car park and potential Swanage congestion, the Portfolio Holder proposed the following addition to the recommendations:

“That Purbeck Park car park at Nordon be moved for level 2 to the level 1 parking tariff.”

Cabinet members indicated that their view was “minded to” support the proposals including the additional recommendation added by the portfolio holder.

 Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment

(a)  To align the day rate in the main tourist locations car parks during peak   and low season

(b)  To align charges in all other car parks (rural and town locations)

(c)  To align on-street parking charges in areas that already have on-street pay & display

(d)  That all current public car park permits be withdrawn and that a long stay and short stay car park permit for residents and workers in the Dorset Council area be introduced.

(e)  That Purbeck Park car park at Nordon be moved from level 2 to the level 1 parking tariff.

Reason for the decision

Dorset Council Parking Services is currently working under the Parking Orders of the former six Councils, this has led to a disparity of tariffs between areas to the extent that some areas are free to park all day and others pay £9. An alignment of the Parking Orders is necessary to standardise charges to ensure equality for residents.

Executive Decision - Phase 2 Parking Charges Transformation Project - Dorset Council

To consider a report of the Strategic Parking Project Manager.

The committee received and considered a report of the Strategic Parking Project Manager which set out the details and recommendations of the phase 2 parking charges transformation project.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment introduced the report and thanked Councillor Cherry Brooks, former Lead Member for Highways, for her work in this area and also the Strategic Parking Project Manager for her work on the review.

The Strategic Parking Project Manager provided a presentation to the committee, which provided an overview of the report and recommendations.

Councillors considered the issues arising from the report and during discussion the following areas were covered:

·            In response to comments raised with regard to the ‘Pop and Shop’ and ‘Live, Work and Play’ permits, the Portfolio Holder indicated he was happy to talk to councillors about issues in their areas and to discuss further, points raised and make adjustments where appropriate

·            Further work was to be undertaken as part of phase 3 of the transformation project

·            The purpose of phase 2 was to harmonise arrangements across the Dorset Council area

·            The scale of charges was discussed and examples noted of arrangements for parking in other council areas

·            The situation with parking in Wimborne and Verwood were highlighted and further discussion could be held with ward councillors

·            The implementation date for the changes was yet to be confirmed

·            Payment arrangements and opportunities to move to a digital platform to allow for ease of payment were noted

·            Car parks had been included in the council’s asset management plan and areas such as improvement of standards and commercial opportunities would be considered as part of future phases

·            A review of arrangements for car parking in other areas had been undertaken and learning would continue to be taken from other councils

·            Links to the Local Transport Plan and Local Plan were noted

·            This was a living plan over a 5-year period

·            The Portfolio Holder indicated that the banding for Shaftesbury could be discussed with local councillors.

It was proposed by C Jones seconded by A Starr

‘Minded to’ Recommendation

That the following recommendations are supported:

1.         Align the day rate in the main tourist locations car parks during peak and low season

2.         Align charges in all other car parks (rural and town locations)

3.         Align on-street parking charges in areas that already have on-street pay & display

4.         Withdraw all current car park permits and introduce a long stay and short stay car park permit for residents and workers in the Dorset Council area.

The Executive Director of Place, having heard the debate, confirmed the ‘minded to’ Recommendation to Cabinet, under delegated powers on behalf of the informal meeting of the Place and Resources Overview Committee.