Agenda item

The report brings forward recommendations for existing car parking fees and charges for implementation from 1 April 2020.  The report also seeks approval for the introduction of charges in a number of the Council’s smaller car parks, highlights a review of initiatives to improve digital access for customers, highlights the intention to introduce electric charging points and confirms concessionary parking arrangements for the Blood Transfusion Service and Breast Screening Unit in Tonbridge.

The joint report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services and the Director of Finance and Transformation brought forward proposals for fees and charges for existing car parking to be implemented from 1 April 2020.  In addition, the report sought approval for the introduction of charges in a number of the Council’s smaller car parks, highlighted a review of initiatives to improve digital access for customers and the intention to introduce electric charging points and confirmed parking arrangements for the Blood Transfusion Service and the Breast Screening Unit in Tonbridge.

RECOMMENDED:  That,

(1)          subject to consideration of the consultation referred to at paragraph 1.22 of the report, Cabinet be commended to approve the following proposals with effect from 1 April 2020:-

1.         introduce the schedule of charges for short and long stay parking in Tonbridge as shown in Table 1 of the report;

2.         revise the parking arrangements at Tonbridge Castle to maximise public use whilst still retaining appropriate parking arrangements for staff;

3.         adopt the schedules of Peak and Off-Peak Season Ticket charges in Tonbridge as shown in Tables 2 and 3;

4.         increase Ryarsh Lane annual season ticket charges to £255;

5.         introduce the schedules of charges for short stay parking in West Malling shown in Table 5;

6.         introduce the schedule of charges for Blue Bell Hill car park shown in Table 6;

7.         introduce the schedule of charges for parking in Borough Green Western Road car park shown in Table 7;

8.         increase Residents Permits to £45 per year and introduce a rising scale of charges for those parking more than 2 cars in the road;

9.         introduce the schedule of charges for Business Permits and dispensations shown in Table 8, subject to consideration of a ‘means tested regime’ at the next annual review;

10.      visitor permits be retained at £12 for a book of 10 permits, with the current offer of 10 free permits to new applicants retained;

11.      introduce the schedule of charges for Haysden and Leybourne Lakes Country Parks shown in Table 9;

12.      introduce the schedule of charges for on-street pay & display parking in Tonbridge shown in Table 10 and incorporate the existing parking bays in the northern end of the High Street and Lyons Crescent; and

13.      parking charges on Sunday and Bank Holidays remain free of charge.

(2)          the following be commended to Cabinet:-

1.         car parking charges be introduced to the Council’s existing car parks in Aylesford, Martin Square Larkfield and Snodland, as outlined in the report, and a period of formal consultation be undertaken in accordance with the requirements of Statutory Regulations;

2.         a Capital Plan evaluation be undertaken for consideration at the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board for the provision of new parking machines, CCTV (subject to the outcome of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee), signage and Improvements in Aylesford, Martin Square Larkfield and Snodland car parks, Tonbridge Castle Grounds and on street parking bays in Tonbridge High Street and Lyons Crescent;

3.         a report be presented to a future meeting of the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board on initiatives to support the priorities outlined in the Council’s Digital Strategy;

4.         the Parking Service back office administration system be upgraded with the existing suppliers;

5.         parking initiatives to support the Council’s commitment to a sustainable low-carbon future be incorporated in the emerging Climate Change Strategy, with a report on the introduction of electric car charging points across the Council’s car parks being considered at a future meeting of the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board;

6.         the parking concessions for the Blood Transfusion Services and Breast Screening Unit, as outlined in the report, be approved;

7.         the possibility of additional parking provision in the Castle Fields area of Tonbridge be investigated; and

8.         the long term future of the Sovereign Way East car park be reviewed as part of a future review of assets in Tonbridge Town Centre to determine the best use of the site.

*Referred to Cabinet