Agenda item

This report invites Place Scrutiny Committee to review the independent review of car parking charges produced by Arup. Feedback from the Committee will inform an Executive decision later in 2026 – to consider whether the car parking charges in local community areas should be amended.

The Council’s Chief Strategy Officer introduced the report and the Independent Review by Arup following the right to challenge. Officers asked that the Committee consider the review and that they had the opportunity to provide feedback and recommendations for an upcoming Executive Decision.

The Committee considered the review and enquired about the different pricing levels across the city and whether the Council should consider a single sustainable price across the city. Members noted that the Local Transport Plan in November 2024 included the intention to create a parking strategy that included 2 miles from the city centre policy and asked whether the evidence for a blanket approach or a place-by-place approach would produce a better policy for congestion, accessibility, income etc. Officers noted that the Council had set out a two-tier approach to the city centre and outside that area for parking prices. They noted that each place provided a complicated situation to consider in parking policy which different uses and businesses, with consideration given to whether the parking is being used predominantly for local shopping, commuting or accessing the city centre.

Members enquired as to the rational relating to the increase in parking costs which meant in some areas like Bishopthorpe road the increase was a 500% price increase and then the decision to reduce the price for some areas. Officers outlined that the Council had a clear framework on climate change and health and wellbeing that sets out the target of reducing the number of car journeys and increasing active travel that is linked through the movement and place data. Officers noted that the recommendations from Arup would assist the Council in identifying ways to better balance different polices and strategies to meet the Council’s targets.

Members asked about the income from parking and whether the Council could show how this benefits transport across the city. Officers confirmed that all funding from parking income is used to support the highways and transport budgets, as outlined within the report and that this information could be found in the parking report that is published on the Council website.  

The Committee discussed the issues relating to congestion in the city as officers confirmed the need to reduce car dependency to take pressure off the network. Members noted improvements to public transport which needed to work alongside parking policy in relation to congestion. Members also asked about whether residents parking should be part of the overall parking strategy. Officers noted that residents parking was not a tool the Council used to impose restrictions, instead it was something that came from requests and engagement with local communities.

Members asked about whether the Council was developing a parking strategy, officers confirmed that a draft strategy was scheduled for November 2025 but had been delayed due to the necessary resources not being available. Members also asked if the crux of the issue was balancing the Council’s local transport strategy and its economic strategy. Officers argued that it was more nuanced than this, citing the economic benefit on the city of a more effective road network from things such as a reduction in congestion.

The Committee noted the option for a 30-minute reduced price option at car parks and whether parking income affected the decision. Officers confirmed that parking policy was not determined based on the levels of income but were determined in relation to the Council’s transport policies. The Committee also brought up the Minster Badge and the opportunity to promote it further to residents and its reduced parking prices, however, Members also noted that if the Council wanted to reduce car dependency, then promoting an opportunity for residents to get discounted parking would seem to clash with that objective.

Resolved:

                         i.         That the Committee recommended that the Executive consider all the recommendations within the Independent Review by Arup, noting that the recommendations presented by Arup do not take into consideration the council’s available powers, relationship with York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (and different transport duties), the capacity for delivery nor the operability of the recommendations.

Reason:     To ensure the Executive take full consideration of the recommendations from Arup following the right to challenge.