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STRATEGIC PLANNING, SUSTAINABILITY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE |
10 April 2018 |
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Objections to Off Street Parking Places Order - Sutton Valence |
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Final Decision-Maker |
Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee |
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Lead Director |
William Cornall Director of Regeneration & Place |
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Lead Officer and Report Author |
Charlie Reynolds, Operations Engineer Parking Services |
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Classification |
Public |
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Wards affected |
Sutton Valence |
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Executive Summary |
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This report presents to the Committee the results following public consultation carried out in relation to the proposed variation of The Borough of Maidstone (Off-Street Parking Places) (Variation No 9) Order 2017.
The report makes recommendations to the Committee to consider the objections received as part of the formal consultation process as required under the Parking Places (Variation of Charges) Act 2017.
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This report makes the following recommendations to this Committee: |
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1. That the Committee agrees the recommendation to proceed in relation to The Borough of Maidstone (Off-Street Parking Places) (Variation No9) Order 2017 and agree to make the Order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
2. That the Committee agrees that the objectors are informed of the outcome as identified in the report and that the orders be sealed. |
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Timetable |
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Meeting |
Date |
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Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee. |
10 April 2018 |
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Objections to Off Street Parking Places Order - Sutton Valence |
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1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
1.1 As part of the legal process to vary the Off Street Parking Places Order, the Council are required to conduct a formal consultation process which includes the placement of public notices in the car park and notices in the local press.
1.2 The Parking Places (Variation of Charges) Act 2017 also makes provision in relation to the procedure to be followed by local authorities when varying the parking places order and requires any objections to be considered and reported formally.
1.3 Correspondence was sent to statutory and non-statutory consultees, neighbouring residential properties and notices were placed in the car park.
1.4 A Public Notice formally advertising The Borough of Maidstone (Off-Street Parking Places) (Variation No9) Order 2017 was published in Local Press during the week ending Friday 23rd June 2017.
1.5 Full details were contained in the draft orders which, together with a copy of the Public Notices, and a statement of the Council’s reasons for proposing to make the orders were placed on deposit at the Main Reception, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1XX, and at The Link reception desk, Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone, ME15 6JQ.
1.6 The details of the proposals were also available on- line at www.kentonline.co.uk
Objections received
1.7 Sutton Valence Parish Council requested that Parking Services put forward a proposal to place restrictions within the Village Car Park in order to manage parking demand. Parking Services therefore proposed to introduce a “Closed” period from 07.15 – 08.15 to deter long term parking and upon instruction from the Parish Council, introduce a permit holders section were residents could purchase a permit at the cost of £120.00 per annum direct from Sutton Valence Parish Council.
1.8 During the formal consultation period Parking Services received 6 objections. These were based on the grounds that:
o the demand for parking is minimal
o vehicles could be dispersed onto the adjacent roads causing obstruction and impeding traffic flow, increasing safety concerns.
o the cost of the permit is excessive and greater than the residents scheme within the town centre.
1.9 The proposal is intended to increase parking availability and reduce long term parking within the facility and although it is appreciated that there may be some inconvenience during busy periods it should also be noted that the introduction of a permit holders only section will ensure the permit holders have parking availability. The permit holder’s area has also been resurfaced by the parish council and marked bays implemented. Visitors will also be able to obtain a visitors permit from Sutton Valence Parish Council.
1.10 After careful consideration, it is unlikely that vehicles will migrate to the highway requiring intervention from Kent Police or Kent County Council Highways.
1.11 1 letter of support was received in relation to the proposals.
1.12 A full summary of the consultation results are contained in Appendix 1.
1.13 Proposed orders were advertised and all comments received during the
consultation were reviewed and considered and formally presented at the Parish meeting held on 26th July 2017 and subsequently during a Parish meeting held on 14th September 2017.
1.14 Sutton Valence Parish Council subsequently amended the proposals to reflect the views of the objectors and amended the permit charge administered by the parish to £96.00per annum. The parish council also proposed an amendment to the “Closed” period to 06.15 – 07.15.
1.15 Further consultation was therefore undertaken by Parking Services and 1
objector withdrew their objection and 1 withdrew part of their objection.
However 5 objectors remain who have concerns that there is no assurance
of security that the new Permit Holders section is not sufficient enough to
cope with demand , and that if restrictions were to proceed residents may
park on the adjacent roads presenting a larger problem.
1.16 Recommendation: To recommend to the Strategic Planning Sustainability
and Transportation Committee to proceed with the amended proposal as the Parish Council have addressed some of the concerns raised as they feel that the Permit Holder section will increase parking capacity and improve customers’ ability to park and utilise the facilities.
2. AVAILABLE OPTIONS
2.1 That the Committee considers objections and agrees the recommendations in relation to The Borough of Maidstone (Off-Street Parking Places) (Variation No9) Order 2017 and agree to make the Order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and that the Committee agrees that the objectors are informed of the outcome as identified in the report and that the orders be sealed.
2.2 To not proceed with the recommendations would result in the order not being implemented, which is intended to regulate the parking by reducing parking difficulties identified by Sutton Valence Parish Council.
2.3 To make the orders as advertised would not take account of comments received during formal consultation and will be contrary to the requirements of the Parking Places (Variation of Charges) Act 2017.
3. PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 That the Committee considers objections and agrees the recommendations in relation to The Borough of Maidstone (Off-Street Parking Places) (Variation No9) Order 2017 and agree to make the Order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
3.2 That the Committee agrees that the objectors are informed of the outcome as identified in the report and that the orders be sealed.
3.3 The proposal is intended to support the Council’s priority for Maidstone to keeping Maidstone Borough an attractive place for all by managing parking demand and regulating antisocial parking behaviour.
4. RISK
4.1 Consideration must be given to objectors’ comments and letter of support in relation to the proposal. However this must be balanced against the low risk of vehicle migration impacting on road safety or the free flow of traffic in the local area.
5. NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION
5.1 Where agreed The Borough of Maidstone (Off-Street Parking Places) (Variation No9) Order 2017 will be amended accordingly and sealed by Mid Kent Legal Services.
5.2 The ‘Has Made’ order will be advertised in line with legal requirements set out under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
5.3 The objectors will be informed of the outcome.
6. CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS
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Issue |
Implications |
Sign-off |
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Impact on Corporate Priorities |
The proposals are intended to support the Council’s priority to improve access across the Borough through better roads, thereby keeping Maidstone Borough an attractive place for all. |
Jeff Kitson Parking Services Manager |
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Risk Management |
Consideration has been given to objections and formal letters of support with regard to each proposal. However this has been balanced against the low risk of vehicle migration impacting on road safety or the free flow of traffic in the local area. |
Jeff Kitson Parking Services Manager |
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Financial |
The costs of the order variation and implementation will be met from within the existing Parking Services budget. |
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Staffing |
It is anticipated that the services will be delivered within existing staffing levels. |
Jeff Kitson Parking Services Manager |
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Legal |
The relevant statutory provisions and requirements are set out in the body of the report. Formal orders will need to be sealed by Mid Kent Legal Services. |
Keith Trowell, Interim Team Leader, (Corporate Governance) |
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Privacy and Data Protection |
There are no specific privacy or data protection issues to address. |
Keith Trowell, Interim Team Leader, (Corporate Governance) |
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Equalities |
None identified |
Equalities and Corporate Policy Officer |
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Crime and Disorder |
The developments identified within this report will have no negative impact on Crime and Disorder. |
Jeff Kitson Parking Services Manager |
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Procurement |
None identified |
Jeff Kitson Parking Services Manager. |
7. REPORT APPENDICES
7.1 Appendix 1 – The original proposal.
7.2 Appendix 2 – The summary of correspondence received during the consultation period.
7.3 Appendix 3 – The amended proposal.
8. BACKGROUND PAPERS
8.1 None.