Issue - meetings

To consider and decide on the recommendations as set out in the associated report. 

RESOLVED –

1.    Increase the prices for parking as stated in the Sales Prices, Fees and Charges Cabinet report 20 July 2022 (excluding Dunorlan Park) as soon as the necessary steps to implement the changes have taken place, with the exception of:

                                      i.        The free period for Yew Tree Road, Southborough and/or

                                     ii.        The free period for Paddock Wood

which will be maintained while other options for funding, including those suggested in the consultation, are explored. The Council will engage with Southborough Town Council and/or Paddock Wood Town Council to discuss funding the revenue foregone by retaining the current free parking periods, be approved.

2.    Cabinet agree for officers to commence an informal public consultation, seeking views on options to improve the amenity value of Dunorlan Park, including the introduction of parking charges, be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION: To bridge some of the £944,000 revenue budget deficit for 2022/23 and support the budget setting process for 2023/24, thereby protecting other council services.

Councillor Justine Rutland, Cabinet Member for Tunbridge Wells Town and Local Areas, introduced Jane Fineman, Head of Finance, Procurement and Parking who presented the report as per the agenda.

Registered speakers:

·         Robert Banks, member of the public

·         Nasir Jamil, member of the public

·         Borough Councillor Matthew Bailey, Paddock Wood (West)

Discussions and questions from Members included:

              i.        It was confirmed that the cost of the informal consultation at Dunorlan Park was between £1,500 and £2,000 which covered notices put in local newspapers, notices put on local lampposts and officer time it took to collate responses and put together a report that consolidated all of the information.

             ii.        It was stated that the Tunbridge Wells Agreement was an important document to use to guide Members through situations like the car parking consultation.

            iii.        The partnership was proud to have listened and responded to resident feedback and thanks were given to all who engaged in the debate from Southborough and Paddock Wood.

           iv.        Cabinet Members encouraged residents to reach out about issues in their areas.

             v.        It was stated that free parking wasn’t a reality however Members wanted to do the best they could for Southborough.

           vi.        The roaming cabinet had been warmly received in areas it had been so far.

          vii.        It was considered that 8 members of Cabinet was not extensive given that there was a lot of work to do.

         viii.        It was stated that the Council had more money going out than it had coming in and the budget deficit meant that action taken protected Council finances and in turn Council services that residents informed Members they valued and that brought the community together.

RESOLVED –

1.    Increase the prices for parking as stated in the Sales Prices, Fees and Charges Cabinet report 20 July 2022 (excluding Dunorlan Park) as soon as the necessary steps to implement the changes have taken place, with the exception of:

                              i.        The free period for Yew Tree Road, Southborough and/or

                             ii.        The free period for Paddock Wood

which will be maintained while other options for funding, including those suggested in the consultation, are explored. The Council will engage with Southborough Town Council and/or Paddock Wood Town Council to discuss funding the revenue foregone by retaining the current free parking periods, be approved.

2.    Cabinet agree for officers to commence an informal public consultation, seeking views on options to improve the amenity value of Dunorlan Park, including the introduction of parking charges, be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION: To bridge some of the £944,000 revenue budget deficit for 2022/23 and support the budget setting process for 2023/24, thereby protecting other council services.

To consider and provide a recommendation to Cabinet on the proposals set out in the attached report. 

Jane Fineman, Head of Finance and Procurement, introduced the report set out in the agenda.

Registered Speakers

Parish Councillor Blackwell

Councillor Bailey

Discussion and questions from Members included the following:

-       The consultation questions focused on the proposed price increases for Yew Tree Road and Paddock Wood. The consultation didn’t include specific questions relating to town centre car parks. 

-       If the Council implemented all the car parking charges proposed for Yew Tree Road, the income would be £45k per year.  Of the £45k, £33,300 would come from charges for the first (currently free) 2 hour period.  Income from Yew Tree car park was currently around £10k per year. 

-       Current income from Paddock Wood was approximately £26-27k per year.  If the new charges were implemented, this figure would rise to £76k per year.  Of this, £43k would come from charges for the first hour of parking. 

-       Maintenance charges for surface level car parks were combined so individual costs were not available but could be provided on request.

-       The cost of a consultation for Dunorlan Car Park was not known to officers at the time of the meeting, but would depend on the form the consultation would take (informal or formal). An estimate of costs would be provided after the meeting.  However, an informal consultation could be solely online via the TWBC website, which would be very cost-effective. Other options, including using local newspapers would incur further costs. There would be additional requirements if a formal consultation were to be carried out.

-       The wording of Option 2 and in particular the final sentence put the onus of responsibility to Paddock Wood and Southborough Town Council.  It was suggested this would not allow for wider discussion across the whole of the Borough.   It was further suggested the final sentence be removed. Following further discussion and a vote by a show of hands, the final sentence of Option 2 would be retained.  Option 2 would therefore be put forward as currently drafted.

-       Without knowing the cost, it would be difficult to make a decision on whether to commence an informal consultation for Dunorlan Park.  It was therefore suggested that Option 3 be removed.

-       It was felt by some Members that the consultation was not sufficient in its scope and additionally that without knowing the true extent of the deficit, none of the options could be supported.

-       There should be a better understanding of the current and projected income streams, including car parking and business rates before making any final decisions on whether to increase car parking charges.

-       Included in the consultation was an option for a £10 increase in Council Tax.  If this were to go ahead, it would raise a significant amount of money, more than would be achieved by increasing car parking charges.

-       Discussions with Paddock Wood and Southborough Town Council needed to take place to establish their views on what the parking charge structure should be. 

-       When considering parking charges  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29