Agenda item

To consider a report by the Traffic, Parking and Road Safety Manager (copy attached) which seeks the Committee to examine whether the Council’s existing car park tariff system and Residents’ Parking Scheme Policy are sufficiently flexible to meet the needs of all areas of the county.

10.45am – 11.30am

The Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, Councillor Brian Jones introduced the report (previously circulated). The report provided details on the existing car park tariff system and policy for residential schemes. Members were reminded that a similar report had previously been presented in 2015. Further detail was provided by the Traffic, Parking and Road Safety Manager (TPRSM). It was explained that Denbighshire had adopted a uniform charging system across the County.

The development of a proposed pilot scheme in Llangollen formed part of a wider traffic and parking management arrangements for the town, which included discussions around varying parking charges between car parks. A question had been raised on whether a higher charge for central parking could be adopted and a lower charge for car parks on the periphery. It was confirmed that the current policy did not allow this method of charging. The TPRSM confirmed that the overall income for a given town had to be as cost neutral as possible. The proposed pilot scheme’s aim was to allow more flexibility for varying charges in a town to aid traffic flow and availability spaces. Officers stressed that the proposal was being presented to the Committee for comments and agreement to proceed with the pilot scheme. Confirmation was given that an update report and any findings would be presented to committee following monitoring of a period of 12 months.

Councillor Graham Timms presented members with a brief history of the issues experienced in Llangollen related to car parking. Members were made aware that Llangollen car parks created the second largest income from car parks in the County. It was felt that by varying the cost of parking in the town provision would be available that would cater for all needs, e.g. residents, commuters and local businesses. Councillor Melvyn Mile highlighted to members the work that had begun in Llangollen to identify issues that were important for all individuals and visitors.

During the ensuing debate members took the opportunity to raise questions and discussed various aspects of the pilot scheme with the officers and Lead Member. Main discussion points focused on the following –

·         The existing permit system for parking in Council car parks was still in existence for individuals to purchase. Officers would determine which car park was most suitable for permit holders to use.

·         Reassurance was provided that the income generated from car parks had been reinvested back into car parks or road safety related funcitions within Denbighshire. It was confirmed communication had taken place with Highways to evaluate service level agreements for each car park within Denbighshire.

·         Officers stated they had not been made aware of any security issues at car parks in Llangollen. Security was an important consideration for car parks. Monitoring of car park security would continue.

·         Confirmation was provided that car parking charges in the County were last increased in 2016.  Whilst there were no specific plans at present to increase parking charges, fees and charges were revised on an annual basis.

The Chair thanked officers for the comprehensive report and answers provided to members concerns.

Following the discussion, the Committee,

RESOLVED that, subject to the above observations

    i).        recommended that the pilot scheme in Llangollen where car park tariffs were to be varied in the various car parks within the town on the basis that, where possible, there should be no net loss in car park income from all the car parks in Llangollen town centre, be implemented;

   ii).        that a further report is presented to the Committee, approximately 15 months following the Scheme’s implementation, on its effectiveness and any lessons learnt from the pilot scheme for similar schemes in future; and  

  iii).        confirmed that as part of its consideration it had read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment.