Agenda item

Report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequality and Resident Services.

Clerks note:  During discussion of the report Councillor Brabazon declared an interest as she had purchased an Essential Services Permit to enable her to carry out her work as a Cabinet Member.  She left the meeting for the decision of the item.

The Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequality and Resident Services introduced the report which set out the outcome from the recent review of the Essential Service Permit scheme, and recommended several amendments.

In response to questions from Councillor Emery, the following was noted:

-              There was a cap for school permits, and this was based on whether there was an on-site carpark.  This would be a long cultural journey, and capping the number of permits would ensure that the process of getting a permit was governed and thought was given to whether permits were actually required.

-              Religious groups carry out cross-borough work and therefore it was felt to be fair to keep the subsidised rate for religious leaders.

RESOLVED to

1.            Agree, subject to the outcome of formal (traffic order) consultation:

(i)        the revised Essential Service Permit arrangement for schools, as set out in paragraphs 7.4 to 7.8 of the report,

(ii)       the revised terms and conditions of use that applies to Council staff in paragraphs 7.2 to 7.3 of the report,

(iii)      that foster carers shall be able to access the reduced charge (concessionary) ESP scheme.

(iv)      the change to charges as proposed in Appendix 1.

(v)       to note that discretionary parking arrangements (outside of the ESP scheme) will continue to apply to police counterterrorism operations.

(vi)      to note that, once statutory consultation has been undertaken, a policy will be developed and presented to Cabinet at a future date setting out the full details of the ESP scheme and how it will be administered.

(vii)    to delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequality and Resident Services and the Director of Environment and Resident Experience to consider any objections received in response to formal consultation and (subject to their being satisfied that there are no unresolved or pertinent objections) to agree the implementation of the proposed measures. 

(viii)   to delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequality and Resident Services and the Director of Environment and Resident Experience, to expand the restrictions that apply in Wood Green as set out in paragraph 6.6 to 6.9 (subject to statutory consultation) into local roads when the Civic Centre opens as and when needed.   

Reasons for decisions

The ESP scheme is important to those who need to use a motorised vehicle to deliver essential services to Haringey residents. There is therefore a need to review the scheme periodically to ensure that those who need to access the scheme can do so.

Foster carers have lobbied for free or subsidised parking. Their role involves taking children to many appointments including medical or court-related or to family contact centres. In many cases, the use of a car is the only way to make those busy lives work. While free parking is not an option to be considered, allowing foster carers to access the ESP scheme would give them the flexibility in parking that they currently need. 

There is dissatisfaction with the operation of the scheme by some who currently access the scheme.  Schools feel that the current criteria, which favours those delivering the school curriculum, are too restrictive.

Residents are also dissatisfied with the scheme where they feel that ESP parking is creating additional parking pressures in their roads. Robust measures are therefore required to prevent non-essential use of those permits.

This review and recommendations aim to address those issues.

Alternative options considered

Retaining current arrangements was considered. This would fail to address the dissatisfaction with the scheme. It would also prevent foster carers from accessing the scheme. 

Consideration was given to excluding schools from the ESP Scheme.  Transport is one of the main contributors to poor air quality. The Council’s Borough Plan, Transport Strategy and Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) set out the Council’s commitment to improving air quality and taking steps to reduce pollution that is harmful to health.

There are growing concerns about transport-related pollution and its impact on air quality near schools. The Council has implemented 23 School Streets to address the growing concerns about transport-related air pollution around schools and the impact on children’s health. ESPs for schools inevitably contribute to traffic and congestion and the associated impact on air quality. 

However, head teachers feel that those permits are crucial to the successful running of their schools, hence the recommendations in paragraph 3.1(i)

Consideration was given to implementing a 2-hour time limit to each ESP parking session. This was considered as a measure to minimise the impact of ESP parking on busy roads and prevent extended or all-day parking. This would not meet the needs of all users, especially those involved in safeguarding.