Issue - meetings

Deputation in relation to item 14

Mr Bruno Carr addressed the Cabinet in relation to agenda item 14. He informed Members that he was supporting the 2200 residents, 85% of the consultation respondents, that were against the proposal to increase the charges for parking permits in the borough and whom he felt were being ignored. Mr Carr felt that, given the current economic climate, it was untimely to increase any charges.

He felt that the response to the objections in the report was weak and questioned the presentation of these objections and how the evidence had been added to support these. He continued to contend that there was greater emphasis in the document on the positive responses to the consultation rather than those objecting.

Mr Carr continued to question the principles behind the increased parking permit charges, highlighting the higher proportionate percentage increase to parking permits for more environmentally efficient cars against more polluting cars. The proposed changes were also not fully aligning to the Ultra Low Emissions Zone vehicle categories. There had already been careful analysis and assessment of the vehicles by TFL experts and scientists of low emission vehicles that were to be encouraged for purchase and use. The proposals seemed to penalise residents that had bought these vehicles.

He requested that the Cabinet Members either defer the decision for six months, and reassess the economic situation, or reassess the charges to match the ULEZ.

The Leader thanked Mr Carr for his deputation.

In response to questions from Cabinet Members, Mr Carr responded as follows:

• He agreed that Friends of the Earth would support the aims of the decision to reduce emissions and improve air quality and he also supported this aim. However, Mr Carr felt that the percentage increases proposed had not been looked at clearly and if they had been would have been challenged as there was a unequal increase when comparing permit charge increases between electric  or hybrid cars and higher polluting cars. It was felt that if further work had been completed, at the early stage, with environmental groups, this would have provided a fairer strategy, leading to increases in more polluting cars and better connection with TFL analysis which allowed diesel cars in the euro six category to be exempt.

• In relation to the optimal increases sought, Mr Carr spoke about expecting to see the highest percentages of the most significant increases levied against the most polluting cars and less against electric cars and hybrid models. Mr Carr felt that residents would need to understand the impact of higher polluting cars on air quality to encourage use of lower emitting vehicles. Also, he felt that there was a need to consider the whole question of emissions across parking, and road traffic, instead of solely targeting additional income from residents.

• Mr Carr questioned the strategy of tackling parked vehicles under the guise of emissions. He expressed that improved public transport access, more cycling routes and improved highways needed to be in place before taking  ...  view the full minutes text for item 285