Agenda item

This report summarises the outcome of a review of parking services, outlines the results of an in depth review of the enforcement, administration and management of parking services and recommends opportunities for improvements.  It includes consideration of and recommendations on a number of parking issues from the Policy Prospectus.

[Note: Appendices J-M of this report are available for inspection in the Members’ Library and at Guildhall Reception or online at www.york.gov.uk]

RESOLVED:(i) That the recommendations in respect of the financial and functional review be adopted, as set out in paragraph 22 and Appendix C of the report;

(ii)The revised parking policy, as suggested in paragraph 24 of the report, be adopted;

(iii)That consultation be undertaken with the trade unions and staff on the local agreement to improve performance and flexibility;

(iv)That Appendix D of the report be noted with respect to Pay on Exit and it also be noted that at the present time it is not possible to fund a change over to Pay on Exit at surface level car parks;

            (v) That officers be requested to implement a marketing programme aimed at promoting the “pay by phone” option;

(vi)That no change be made, at this time, to the permit discount scheme for environmentally friendly vehicles both for on and off street parking but that further efforts be made to market this option;

(vii)That no change be made in the charge for a household parking permit in accordance with current policy;

(viii)That no change be made in the current level of car parking charges but that this be considered through the annual budget process;

(ix)That an Annual Parking Report be published as proposed in Appendix J of the report;

(x)That the draft protocols for enforcement, set out in Appendix K of the report, and administration, set out in Appendix L of the report, be adopted;

(xi)That the Service Levels for Parking Services, set out in Appendix M of the report, be adopted.

REASON:      For the more efficient and effective management of Parking Services.

Members received a report which summarised the outcome of a review of parking services, outlined the results of an in depth review of the enforcement, administration and management of parking services and recommended opportunities for improvements. 

The report also included consideration of and recommendations on a number of parking issues from the Policy Prospectus:

·  The adoption of a new parking policy that met the existing objectives but linked parking with the Council’s strategy on transport, the economy and environment;

·  A proposal to review alternative options for delivery of the enforcement service;

·  A proposal to carry out a trial on the pay on exit method of payment in car parks;

·  A review of the possibility of introducing a permit scheme for environmentally friendly vehicles;

·  A review of the car park charges.

Members highlighted that most car parking charges had reduced in relative terms in the City over the last 4 years, that low emission vehicles enjoyed a 50% discount on ResPark permit costs and that parking income remained buoyant.  They also expressed some concern about sickness levels and inflexible working practices in the parking team, and confirmed that they did not wish to put the service out to the private sector, owing to the ambassadorial role wardens played in the City, compared to the negative image of some private security firms.

Plans to introduce a discount for “pay by phone” customers and to provide facilities to help customers with the initial set up stage for this payment method were announced at the meeting, for implementation during the pre-Christmas period.

Having considered the advice of the Shadow Executive, it was

RESOLVED:(i) That the recommendations in respect of the financial and functional review be adopted, as set out in paragraph 22 and Appendix C of the report;

(ii)The revised parking policy, as suggested in paragraph 24 of the report, be adopted;

(iii)That consultation be undertaken with the trade unions and staff on the local agreement to improve performance and flexibility;

(iv)That Appendix D of the report be noted with respect to Pay on Exit and it also be noted that at the present time it is not possible to fund a change over to Pay on Exit at surface level car parks;

            (v) That officers be requested to implement a marketing programme aimed at promoting the “pay by phone” option;

(vi)That no change be made, at this time, to the permit discount scheme for environmentally friendly vehicles both for on and off street parking but that further efforts be made to market this option;

(vii)That no change be made in the charge for a household parking permit in accordance with current policy;

(viii)That no change be made in the current level of car parking charges but that this be considered through the annual budget process;

(ix)That an Annual Parking Report be published as proposed in Appendix J of the report;

(x)That the draft protocols for enforcement, set out in Appendix K of the report, and administration, set out in Appendix L of the report, be adopted;

(xi)That the Service Levels for Parking Services, set out in Appendix M of the report, be adopted.

REASON:      For the more efficient and effective management of Parking Services.