Agenda item

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

To seek approval of Parking Strategy and changes to parking policy/permits and charges, and where appropriate authority to proceed to statutory consultation on proposals.

The Cabinet Member for Resident Services and Tackling Inequality introduced the report which sought the adoption of a new Parking Strategy, which was designed to foster a cohesive and forward-thinking approach to traffic management. The strategy refined the Council’s parking management framework, significantly enhancing its contribution to the Councils strategic objectives. The strategy further aimed to alleviate congestion, support local businesses, improve air quality, and enhance the overall vitality of the borough’s diverse community.

The report further sought approval of several parking policy/charges changes that supported the delivery of this new strategy.

The Cabinet Member described the pivotal role of parking in the borough context of having thousands of businesses, thousands of people working in the borough and an significant increase in homes and business spaces coming forward. She further highlighted the popularity of the borough and its cultural sites, and the policies were also taking account enabling older and disabled people to live independent lives.

The parking strategy attached aimed to prepare the borough for parking in the future with an action plan attached.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment and Transport praised the Cabinet Member and the Parking team for their work, remarking that how parking has significant positive impacts on the climate, improving accessibility, road safety, air quality.

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

-       With regards to modelling charges for potential increased take up of Electrical Vehicles, it was noted that there was still a need to incentivise residents for taking up electrical vehicles and Appendix D reflected this as well as providing comparable charging rates of other boroughs. However, parking was not the main issue for residents but the need for increased charging facilities.

-       Regarding the £880,000 overspend in Parking, referred to in the previous financial outturn report, the service was working on transforming the Parking service and making it as automated as possible. This needed initial investment to fulfil the overall aim for the service to achieve full cost recovery going forward.

-       Regarding the discontinuation of daily visitor permits and whether the system could be retained whilst cracking down on abuses, it was noted that the current daily pass visitor pass cost £4 a day and incentivised visitors to stay parked all day in a CPZ area. Therefore, in a CPZ area where there were businesses this had a detrimental impact as it did not allow the flow of customers needed. This situation also provided a cheaper option for people parking near a station and leaving their car all day when catching the train for work. Charging by the hour for parking supported business and residents in the borough.

RESOLVED

1. To approve the Parking Strategy attached as Appendix A.

2. To note the responses received to the informal consultation regarding the parking policy review attached to this report at Appendix B and 6.18.

3. To approve the changes to parking and other charges as set out in Appendix D (section 2 – paragraphs 2.1-2.3 and section 3 – paragraphs 3.1-3.5) and notes that, subject to the outcome of statutory consultation, those charges will be added to the Council’s approved Fees & Charges and come into effect at the earliest practicable date.

4. To approve the changes to parking policy as detailed in Appendix D (section 4 – paragraphs 4.1 and 4.3), subject to the outcome of statutory consultation.

To delegate authority to the Head of Highways and Parking to:

5. Carry out all required statutory consultations regarding the proposed changes to charges and parking policy detailed in Appendix D and

6. Make all necessary traffic management orders (“TMOs”), having considered any objections received in response to the statutory consultation, to implement the proposed changes, subject to key decisions being considered by Cabinet; and

7. Where the Head of Highways and Parking considers appropriate, to decide to either (i) not proceed with or (ii) modify one or more of the proposed TMOs to address any matters arising from the statutory consultation or (iii) to refer the matter(s) to Cabinet for determination.

Reasons for decision

The Council needs to consider adopting a model of full cost recovery for all its parking services to ensure financial stability now and in the future. A full cost recovery model is to be adopted not only to recover operational costs, but also to secure the transition to environmentally friendly parking solutions.

A Parking Strategy and changes to parking policy and charges are also needed as a response to and lay a sustainable foundation for the following:

·         Historical road infrastructure constraints

·         Rising demand for road space

·         Changing urban mobility patterns

·         Accessibility needs

·         Social care

·         Future urban development

·         Environmental commitments

The Parking Strategy aligns with broader transport objectives to improve the quality of life for all Haringey residents.

Alternative options considered.

Consideration was given to continuing as is and responding to pressures and stakeholder requirements on a responsive basis. However, this option is not recommended for the following reasons:

Inadequate response to increasing demands – continuing with existing practices would not adequately address the growing pressure on parking and highways as Haringey’s population and infrastructure demands increase.

Compromise strategic objectives – not adopting a strategic approach would undermine the ability to significantly contribute to corporate objectives, which aim to enhance mobility and support sustainable urban development.

Risk to service quality and efficiency – the lack of a forward-looking strategy could lead to deteriorating service quality, increased congestion, and reduced satisfaction amongst residents and businesses.

Given the above limitations, it is advised the Council adopts the proposed Parking Strategy and changes to parking policy/charges. The Parking Strategy objectives have been set to efficiently manage parking resources, support sustainable transport solutions that meet the needs of the community and support economic vitality.