Agenda item

Report of the Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report (previously circulated) to provide an update on Town Centre Car Parking charges and sought approval for funding to continue a range of parking offers to the end of December 2020.

The submitted report stated that a series of parking offers to support the town centre in June 2018 and in October 2019 had been approved, with the intention to review the impact of the initiatives, alongside the emerging Town Centre Strategy and the Council’s financial position, in May 2020. It was reported that the response to the Covid-19 pandemic delayed consideration of these offers and that a decision was made at the start of the lockdown period to temporarily cease all parking charges to support the control of the virus.

The submitted report noted that as recovery continued more and more spaces were being taken by commuters and long-term parkers, leaving a shortfall for short stay visits and for shoppers, and that an amended offer on parking to support the town centre in the approach to Christmas was required.

RESOLVED – (a) That £392,883 additional funding to extend the parking offers outlined in Appendix 1 of the submitted report, until the end of December 2020, with the funding to be taken from General fund Reserves.

(b) That the long stay parking offer in East Street car park be retained permanently.  

REASONS – (a) To approve the amendment to charges.

(b) To support the recovery of the town centre.