Agenda and minutes

There were no public speakers at the meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 January 2020 were agreed as a true record.

Minute 33. Declarations of interest.

Councillor Andrew Colman, Personal, Exmouth Town Councillor.

Minute 33. Declarations of interest.

Councillor Eleanor Rylance, Personal, Broadclyst Parish Councillor.

Minute 33. Declarations of interest.

Councillor Kim Bloxham, Personal, Cranbrook Town Councillor.

Minute 33. Declarations of interest.

Councillor Olly Davey, Personal, Exmouth Town Councillor.

Information on matters of urgency is available online

There were no matters of urgency.

To agree any items to be dealt with after the public (including the press) have been excluded.

There were no items which officers recommended should be dealt with in this way.

The Service Lead – Environmental Health and Car Parks presented the Car Parking TaFF’s terms of reference, as agreed by the TaFF on 7 November 2020.    The main section headings were:

·        Asset management

·        Communities

·        Economy

·        Statutory

·        Climate change emergency

·        Equality and health and wellbeing issues

It was suggested that climate change emergency be prioritised in the list of issues to be considered by the TaFF.

1. Climate emergency

2. Asset Management & Revenue Generation

      Please see the link to the Car Parking Tariff Review  which was taken to Cabinet on 2 October 2019.

3. Visitor economy, well-being and poverty considerations

4. Campervans and motorhomes

5. Other matters for consideration

The Service Lead- Environment Health and Car Parks’ report outlined a number of topics for discussion.  These were:

·        Climate change emergency.

·        Asset management and revenue generation.

·        Visitor economy, wellbeing and poverty considerations.

·        Campervans and motorhomes.

·        Other matters for consideration.

It was noted that the Council currently owned and managed 57 public car park sites across the district.  45 of those public car parks were operated on a pay and display tariff.  One (Mill Street, Sidmouth, also offered some reserved parking spaces on short term leases).  There were 12 other sites which all operated slightly differently and these were outlined in the report for consideration by the TaFF.

It was suggested that the Exmouth lorry park could be used as a site for campervans and motorhomes.  It was also suggested that Upper Station car park in Budleigh Salterton could be brought back within the Council’s remit and parking charges applied, or the existing lease to the Town Council could be increased.  The TaFF were made aware of how any increase in tariffs could influence how motorists behaved, with possible on street parking congestion.  An increase in parking charges had consultation constraints and required consultation with the county council and the police.

The Strategic Lead Finance explained how the payment and income in relation to business rates worked.  EDDC paid business rates on everything that it owned, however it also generated income from business rates and that the two should be separated.  The amount of business rates paid was specific to each car park.  They were rated on ‘potential income’.  He warned the TaFF that car parks should not be seen just as an income earner and that other factors should be brought into consideration, such as usage of the car parks and attracting people to areas.  Car parking revenue was extremely important to the finances of EDDC and charges had not been increased since 2010.  Car parking income would be considered in helping balance the books of the medium term financial gap.

The Forum agreed that the Council’s car parks should be cost neutral at the very least.  Business rates and maintenance costs should be recuperated for the free car parks that the Council currently ran.  It was suggested that charges to cover the costs be introduced to these car parks or that they be ‘gifted’ to the town or parish councils.  No car park should be a financial liability to EDDC.

Climate emergency

One of the major challenges facing EDDC was that the provision of adequate affordable car parking was important for supporting town centre economies and local communities, however the current climate change emergency had to recognise the significant contribution that the exhaust emissions from cars made to the district’s carbon footprint.

The Forum felt that car parking needed to be part of a strategy that the Council used to address climate change emergency.  Raising charges could discourage driving/car use and the extra revenue could be used to invest in electric vehicle charging infrastructure or better public transport options  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

It was proposed to hold the next meeting of the Car Parking Task and Finish Forum on Thursday 26 November at 10am, to complete the work of the TaFF and enable the Chair to report back on progress and recommendations to the next Scrutiny Committee meeting on 10 December 2020.