Agenda item

In accordance with the Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the requisite number of Members (Councillors Connett, Dewhirst, G Hook, Brazil and Way) invoked the call-in procedure in relation to the decision of the Cabinet Member for Highways Management relating to Fees and Charges for Highways.

This was on the grounds of concern about the steep rises proposed, justification for them, any policy that outlined this and how raised funds would be used.

This Call-in was considered at the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee on 26 March 2019 (Minute *117 refers).

The Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste and the Cabinet Member for Highway Management set out the reasons for the increase and responded to the queries raised at the meeting highlighting that the policy for increasing parking charges was in the Local Transport Plan, short stay parking charges had not been reviewed since their launch, minimising traffic congestion and easing air quality issues and how revenue was invested.

The Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee RESOLVED that  the Cabinet Member decision to approve the detailed schedule of fees and charges for Highways and On-Street Parking tariffs be confirmed, subject to the Cabinet Member giving further consideration to the specific areas of concern raised by Local Members at the meeting; and that the Committee give further consideration to establishing a Scrutiny Task Group to look at parking fee policy in time for any future parking fee changes.

In responding to the Call-in, the Cabinet is required to reconsider the matter in the light of the Scrutiny Committee’s views and may either amend or adopt the original decision, which shall be implemented with immediate effect.

Recommendation

(a) that the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee be thanked for their comments relating to the fees and charges for highways and on-street parking tariffs;

(b) that the decision of the Cabinet Member for Highway Management (approval of the detailed schedule of fees and charges for highways and on-street parking tariffs) be confirmed, with the exception of Ilfracombe B and Courtney Street / Park in Newton Abbot where the Cabinet Member will review the charges in Consultation with the Local Member with confirmation of the final fees being determined by the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management; and

(c) that the Cabinet welcomes the suggestion of a Scrutiny Task Group considering parking fee policies, when changes to parking fees are proposed.

(Councillors Connett, Hannaford and Hodgson attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet noted that in accordance with the Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the requisite number of Members (Councillors Connett, Dewhirst, G Hook, Brazil and Way) had invoked the call-in procedure in relation to the decision of the Cabinet Member for Highways Management relating to Fees and Charges for Highways.

This was on the grounds of concern about the steep rises proposed, justification for them, any policy that outlined this and how raised funds would be used.

This Call-in was considered at the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee on 26 March 2019 (Minute *117 refers).

The Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste and the Cabinet Member for Highway Management at the Scrutiny Committee had set out the reasons for the increase and responded to the queries raised at the meeting highlighting that the policy for increasing parking charges was in the Local Transport Plan, that short stay parking charges had not been reviewed since their launch, the aims of minimising traffic congestion and easing air quality issues and how revenue was invested.

The Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee subsequently RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member decision to approve the detailed schedule of fees and charges for Highways and On-Street Parking tariffs be confirmed, subject to the Cabinet Member giving further consideration to the specific areas of concern raised by Local Members at the meeting; and that the Committee give further consideration to establishing a Scrutiny Task Group to look at parking fee policy in time for any future parking fee changes.

Cabinet noted that it was required to reconsider the matter in the light of the Scrutiny Committee’s views and may either amend or adopt the original decision, which would be implemented with immediate effect.

The Cabinet Member for Highways Management highlighted that tariff increases were applied to assist in managing parking stock effectively, to minimise congestion and assist in ensuring the right parking opportunities were available to support town centres. He also highlighted that the disparity between on and off-street parking was deliberate to encourage parking in longer stay car parks, reducing the recirculation of traffic and minimising traffic congestion.

He further offered to review the position at Ilfracombe B and Courtney Street/Park in Newton Abbot and supported the proposal for a Scrutiny Task Group to look at parking fee policy in the future.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor Hughes and

RESOLVED

(a) that the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee be thanked for their comments relating to the fees and charges for highways and on-street parking tariffs;

(b) that the decision of the Cabinet Member for Highway Management (approval of the detailed schedule of fees and charges for highways and on-street parking tariffs) be confirmed, with the exception of Ilfracombe B and Courtney Street / Park in Newton Abbot where the Cabinet Member will review the charges in consultation with the Local Member with confirmation of the final fees being determined by the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management; and

(c) that the Cabinet welcomes the suggestion of a Scrutiny Task Group considering parking fee policies, when changes to parking fees are proposed.