Agenda item

Purpose: To review the Individual Decision relating to the proposed implementation of revised parking charges at Burdwood Centre car park, Thatcham.

The Commission considered a report concerning the Call in item ID2518 – Petition for removal of proposed parking charges at Burdwood Centre car park, Thatcham, which was presented for consideration by Individual Decision on 8 November 2012.

Councillor David Rendel presented the reasons for calling in this item, raising the following points:

·        The proposed increase in parking charges had been objected to by Thatcham Town Council;

·        By considering the effect at the Gilbert Court Car Park after a similar increase in parking charges was implemented there, it could be assumed that parking would be displaced to other areas. For the Burdwood Centre Car Park, Councillor Rendel believed that the displaced vehicles would park in nearby free spaces that currently served local retail traders. The concern was raised that if drivers chose to use these spaces for all day parking, the local traders might be adversely affected;

·        If vehicles were displaced, it was expected that the income from the Burdwood Centre car park would not justify the expense of installing the ticket system. In addition, Councillor Rendel did not believe that the expected income of approximately £2,000 would be considered of value to the Council and would therefore not be missed if the charges were not implemented.

The Chairman asked if any evidence had been gathered to illustrate the extent to which retailers might be affected by the increase in parking charges. Councillor Rendel responded that this was not possible to quantify. Councillor Vickers reported that retailers near Bartholomew Street had reportedly experienced a reduction in trade following the introduction of charges for a residents’ parking area there.

The Chairman reminded the Commission that the proposal included a two hour free parking period, and suggested that this would be sufficient time for people to shop in the area without incurring a charge. Councillor Johnston added that it was common practice for supermarkets to allow a two hour free period for parking and that this was adequate time for shoppers. Councillor Rendel responded that drivers might not be aware of the requirement to obtain a ticket during the two hour free parking period.

The Chairman invited Mark Cole to introduce his response to the reasons for the Call In. Mark Cole explained that all of the issues that had been raised had been addressed in the report that was circulated with the agenda. However Mark Cole drew the Commission’s attention to an error in the report on page 59 of the agenda where ‘first seven months’ should read ‘first five months’. Mark Cole highlighted the following points:

·        Many shops in West Berkshire were located in areas with paid for parking, and it was not considered that users of this car park should be exempt from charges;

·        The two hour free parking was suitable for the type of retail trade in the area and would be expected to allow shoppers adequate time to complete their business without a negative effect on retailers;

·        If the Co-operative Food store became affected by the displacement of vehicles to their car park, the Council would work with them to address the issue;

The Chairman asked what response had been received from the surgery in relation to the proposed charges. Mark Cole responded that although they had initially been against the proposal, following the amendments that were made and with the inclusion of ten parking permits for use by the surgery, they were now fully in support of the proposal.

Mark Cole confirmed that ‘Zeag’ and ‘Metric’ referred to in the report, were the makes of the ticketing machines.

Councillor Richard Crumly asked about the cost of running the car parks, in particular, whether extra staff would be required to enforce parking regulations in the Burdwood Centre Car Park. Mark Cole responded that existing CEOs (Civil Enforcement Officers) would manage the car park and that changes to the CEOs’ routines were not uncommon as changes were made to car park and on street parking arrangements. Mark Edwards added that the car park contained approximately 60 spaces and in comparison to the existing 2000 car parking spaces in 24 car parks, this would not represent a significant increase in work load.

Councillor Dave Goff asked whether the retailers in the area had raised any concerns. Mark Cole responded that they had not.

Councillor Goff asked whether the requirement for a ticket for the two hour free parking period was commonplace across West Berkshire and whether it worked successfully. Mark Cole confirmed that this arrangement was commonplace across the country including in West Berkshire, and that the majority of drivers would be familiar with it, however it would be necessary to ensure good signage in the Burdwood Centre Car Park.

Councillor Johnston expressed his view that limiting the free parking to two hours would be beneficial to retailers in the area, as the parking spaces would not be used by commuters. Councillor Johnston reminded the Commission that it was possible to pay for parking via a mobile phone, and therefore the absence of a ticket in a car did not indicate that the driver had not paid.

Councillor Beck stated that the revised proposal did appear to take into consideration the concerns of those affected, and in particular those of the surgery who were now in support of the proposal, and advised the Commission that the Ward Members for the area were also in support of the scheme. Councillor Beck proposed that the Individual Decision to accept the proposed parking charges at the Burdwood Centre car park be upheld.

Councillor Rendel asked whether the information relating to income from the car parks included fines for non payment. Mark Cole responded that it did not.

Councillor Rendel asked what cost had been calculated for the time spend by a CEO in patrolling the Burdwood Centre Car Park as this would represent the opportunity cost of the CEO being elsewhere. Mark Cole responded that this had not been calculated but that if the CEO was not at the Burdwood Centre Car Park, he would be patrolling another area.

Councillor Mike Johnston seconded the proposal put by Councillor Beck, and at the vote the proposal was carried.

Resolved that the Individual Decision to accept the proposal for parking charges at Burdwood Centre car park be upheld.