Issue - meetings

1)  That the parking charges of £1.00 for stays of up to six hours (with no return within two hours) be introduced to Mote Park from 10 a.m. every morning;

2) (a) That the preferred options at paragraph 4 of the report of the Head of Commercial and Economic Development be approved as follows:-

* the parking charges of £1.00 for stays of up to six hours (with no return within two hours) be introduced to Mote Park from 10am every morning;

* stays of longer than six hours will be charged at twice the rate of the town centre car parks;

* a season ticket will be offered to borough residents at an annual cost of £40.  (Maximum stay of six hours with no return in 2 hours)

* special interest groups will qualify for concessions (no maximum stay)

(b) that authority is delegated to the Head of Commercial and Economic Development to finalise operational details in conjunction with the Parking Services Manager; spend the budget in support of delivery of the project; to obtain the relevant permissions and licences to implement charges

(c) the Council will be required to enforce the scheme by way of a Traffic Regulation Order.  It is proposed that the enforcement function is delegated to Parking Services.  The cost of enforcement will be part of the operating costs.  The Council will also monitor and review the impact on parking in the areas around the park and identify measures to mitigate any adverse impact that may arise due to the introduction of charges.

3)   That delegated authority be given to the Parking Services Manager to issue concessions and free parking permits to volunteers of Mote Park Fellowship, community and special interest groups that already pay to use the park (such as Maidstone Victory Angling Club; Big Bang Productions, Cygnet Model Boat club; etc.); park residents; and charitable or community groups (such as Mencap) based on an agreed criteria;

4)   That a budget of £87,000 be earmarked for the delivery of the Mote Park parking charges project from the capital programme funding for commercial projects; and

5)   That delegated authority be given to the Head of Commercial and Economic Development to spend the budget to implement the proposal to introduce parking charges at Mote Park.

Marcus Lawler, Commercial Projects Manager delivered a presentation explaining the background to charging for parking at Mote Park and other plans for the park.

The Committee noted any future increase in the charge for parking at Mote Park would be decided by this committee.

Concern was raised that residents living immediately outside of Mote Park, who may be affected by displaced parking, had not been consulted on the plans.  The Committee were informed that 1500 park users from across the borough and beyond had been surveyed about the plans.  The Traffic Management Order (TMO) which is a statutory process before parking charges can be enforced, will consult with residents living close to the park.  Any concerns raised by through this process would have to be addressed before the TMO could be agreed.

The Committee noted the budget required for the delivery of the project was £87,000 and not £77,000 as stated in the report.

Voting:

That parking charges of £1.00 for stays of up to six hours (with no return within two hours) be introduced to Mote Park from 10am every morning;

For: 6  Against: 2  Abstentions: 1

Councillor F Wilson asked for her dissent to be noted.

That delegated authority be given to the Parking Services Manager to issue concessions and free parking permits to volunteers of Mote Park Fellowship, community and special interest groups that already pay to use the park (such as Maidstone Victory Angling Club; Big Bang Productions, Cygnet Model Boat club; etc.); park residents; and charitable or community groups (such as Mencap) based on an agreed criteria;

For: 6  Against: 1  Abstentions: 2

That a budget of £87,000 be earmarked for the delivery of the Mote Park parking charges project from the capital programme funding for commercial projects;

For: 6  Against:0  Abstentions:  3

That delegated authority be given to the Head of Commercial and Economic Development to spend the budget to implement the proposal to introduce parking charges at Mote Park:

For: 6  Against: 0  Abstentions: 3