Agenda item

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 for Dunorlan, a request was made that charges should not apply at weekends. 

-       Car parking fees should be structured that would avoid abuse by commuters parking all day.

-       Finding and delivering new income streams was difficult so there had to be a balance between the aspirations of the political parties and the reality of the current position of the Council and what it needed to deliver in order to maintain the required level of services. 

A recorded vote was requested on each of the options put forward to Cabinet:

RESOLVED – That the recommendations to Cabinet for Options 2 and 3 as set out in the report be supported.