Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Carter.

The following substitution was noted:-

Councillor Mrs Wilson for Councillor Robertson

Councillors FitzGerald, Mortimer, Paterson and Warner indicated their wish to speak on Item 9 – Managing On and Off Street Parking Demand.

There were no disclosures.

Councillors Chittenden, Curwood, Daley, English, Marchant, Parr, Ross and Wilson indicated they had been lobbied on Item 9 – Managing On and Off Street Parking Demand.

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2009 were agreed, subject to the following amendments:-

Item 9 – The EDF sub-station is the cause of the problem regarding the Bridge Gyratory design work.

Item 9 – Yeoman Lane consultation – Members asked for further consultation with adjacent villages.

Notice has been given of the intention to present a petition in the following terms:-

Managing On and Off Street Parking Demand

I/We confirm our strong opposition to Conservative proposals to impose charges for the first residents parking permit in my road, and to impose Sunday parking charges in the town centre, and call for these plans to be dropped.

Mr David Pickett presented a petition confirming strong opposition to Conservative proposals to impose charges for the first residents parking permit and to impose Sunday parking charges in the town centre, and called for these plans to be dropped.

Mrs Bulchin, Mr Preston, Mr Savage, Mr Webb, Mr White, Mrs Perkins, Mr Rowell, Mr Grabham and Mr White, on behalf of the Federation of Small Businesses, all addressed the Board and objected to the proposals in Item 9 – Managing On and Off Street Parking Demand.

The Board considered the Report of the Parking Services Manager regarding objections to traffic orders in relation to managing on and off street parking demand.  Members also took into consideration the petition received and the comments made by members of the public who had spoken earlier.

Some Members raised various issues with regard to the Report of the Parking Services Manager.  They felt that there was not enough evidence to support the reduction in wait time and that this reduction would have a significant impact on residents’ visitors, tradesmen, carers, local businesses etc. 

Some Members felt that introducing a charge for parking permits in this time of economic downturn was not acceptable and that there should be no charge for the first permit.   

It was noted that the Strategic Plan currently in the process of being produced will have, for the first time, a parking plan. 

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet Member for Environment be recommended to take no action on the Report of the Parking Services Manager.