Issue - meetings

The Council has received a petition asking for parking restrictions to be lifted for traders to attend the West Malling Farmers Market.

The petition organisers have been invited to address the Cabinet.  Two speakers will have 5 minutes each.

A copy of the petition is available as a background paper but has not been included to avoid disclosing personal information of signatories.

Consideration was given to a petition received from Councillors T Dean, R Roud and M Tatton as joint sponsors asking that the four-hour parking restriction at Ryarsh Lane Car Park be lifted for traders at the West Malling Farmers Market so that a Farmers Market could continue to be provided on the fourth Sunday of each month in West Malling.

The petition organisers addressed the Cabinet in accordance with the Borough Council’s Petition Scheme, as set out in the Constitution, and expressed concerns in respect of the impact that a four-hour parking limit had on the viability of the operation of the West Malling Farmers Market for market operators and stall holders.  It was clarified by the petitioners that they were seeking lifting of the four-hour maximum parking time restriction only rather than a waiver of parking charges, to allow market traders sufficient time of parking at the Ryarsh Lane Car Park to complete all the necessary tasks associated with the operation of the four-hour market.

Due regard was given to the views of the petition organisers and legal implications detailed in the report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services.

Recognising the importance of the West Malling Farmers Market not only to the market traders and local residents but also to the development and vibrance of the area, the petition was supported by the Cabinet Member for Transformation and Infrastructure, who in addition suggested that consideration be given to allowing parents and/or carers of children in West Malling Church of England Primary School to park at the Ryarsh Lane Car Park for up to 15 minutes during school collection time, to be included within the same Notice of Variation that was to be issued to amend the parking time restriction in support of the petition regarding the West Malling Farmers Market.

Cllr M Coffin proposed, seconded by Cllr M Boughton and Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the Petition seeking lifting of a four-hour parking restriction at Ryarsh Lane Car Park for traders at West Malling Farmers Market, as set out in Annex 1, be received and noted;

(2)          a provision be made to enable parents and/or carers of children in West Malling Church of England Primary School to park at the Ryarsh Lane Car Park for up to 15 minutes during school collection time; and

(3)          an Amendment to the Off Street Parking Order be made to alter the charging period of Ryarsh Lane Car Park in West Malling, to reflect the changes agreed per above (1) and (2), by way of the issuing of a Notice of Variation with its display in the car park affected and in the local press for a period of not less than 21 days prior to the changes coming into effect, as set out in paragraph 1.2.2 of the report, subject to agreement of a suitable tariff as a linear extension of the current charging arrangement.

(Decision Notice: D250030CAB)

Consideration was given to a petition received from Councillors T Dean, R Roud and M Tatton as joint sponsors asking that the four-hour parking restriction at Ryarsh Lane Car Park be lifted for traders at the West Malling Farmers Market so that a Farmers Market could continue to be provided on the fourth Sunday of each month in West Malling.

The petition organisers addressed the Cabinet in accordance with the Borough Council’s Petition Scheme, as set out in the Constitution, and expressed concerns in respect of the impact that a four-hour parking limit had on the viability of the operation of the West Malling Farmers Market for market operators and stall holders.  It was clarified by the petitioners that they were seeking lifting of the four-hour maximum parking time restriction only rather than a waiver of parking charges, to allow market traders sufficient time of parking at the Ryarsh Lane Car Park to complete all the necessary tasks associated with the operation of the four-hour market.

Due regard was given to the views of the petition organisers and legal implications detailed in the report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services.

Recognising the importance of the West Malling Farmers Market not only to the market traders and local residents but also to the development and vibrance of the area, the petition was supported by the Cabinet Member for Transformation and Infrastructure, who in addition suggested that consideration be given to allowing parents and/or carers of children in West Malling Church of England Primary School to park at the Ryarsh Lane Car Park for up to 15 minutes during school collection time, to be included within the same Notice of Variation that was to be issued to amend the parking time restriction in support of the petition regarding the West Malling Farmers Market.

The timing for this Notice of Variation would be dependent on the existing pipeline of parking review work but the Cabinet Member for Transformation and Infrastructure (Cllr M Coffin) endeavoured to progress this as soon as possible.

Cllr M Coffin proposed, seconded by Cllr M Boughton and Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the Petition seeking lifting of a four-hour parking restriction at Ryarsh Lane Car Park for traders at West Malling Farmers Market, as set out in Annex 1, be received and noted;

(2)          a provision be made to enable parents and/or carers of children in West Malling Church of England Primary School to park at the Ryarsh Lane Car Park for up to 15 minutes during school collection time; and

(3)          an Amendment to the Off Street Parking Order be made to alter the charging period of Ryarsh Lane Car Park in West Malling, to reflect the changes agreed per above (1) and (2), by way of the issuing of a Notice of Variation with its display in the car park affected and in the local press for a period of not less than 21 days prior to the changes coming  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45