Issue - meetings

Decision:

1.     That the request by Shere Parish Council to make charges for the use of their car park under the 2008 agreement be approved.

2.     That authority be delegated to the Head of Operational and Technical Services in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Environment to agree the tariffs that can be applied by the Parish Council for parking in this car park now and at any future review requested by the Parish Council.

Reason(s):

1.     To enable the Parish Council to raise revenues for the ongoing upkeep of the car park and other parish activities.

2.     To ensure that tariffs for parking in this car park are appropriately balanced between the needs of the Parish Council and against the need to ensure that tariffs do not result in unintended consequences in the wider parish and neighbouring areas. To also allow future flexibility in the setting of those charges.

Other options considered and rejected by the Executive:

None.

Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation granted:

None.

In the absence of the Lead Councillor for Environment, the Leader of the Council introduced the report.

In 2008, the Council made a significant contribution to the refurbishment of the visitor car park in Shere. In return, there was an agreement between Shere Parish Council and the Borough Council that there would be no parking tariffs initially, but a review mechanism was set up such that the parish could seek approval to adjust tariffs in the future with the Council’s approval. The car park was again in need of some significant maintenance and the parish had suggested it was now appropriate for the users of the car park to contribute towards the ongoing expense. Following formal notification from the Parish Council that it wished to commence with charging a tariff, the Executive was asked to consider a report setting out the proposal with a recommendation for approval. It was noted that, in the event of any surplus revenue, this would be directed towards supporting the Parish Council’s wider activities and services for visitors and residents.

There was a discussion about the Council’s involvement in setting the tariff. It was explained that the Council would employ its experience and expertise in that regard so as to avoid negative impacts such as on-street obstructions and inconsiderate parking. There was no information that the Parish Council would employ private enforcement at this point in time.

The Executive

RESOLVED:

(1)    That the request by Shere Parish Council to make charges for the use of their car park under the 2008 agreement be approved.

(2)     That authority be delegated to the Head of Operational and Technical Services in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Environment to agree the tariffs that can be applied by the Parish Council for parking in this car park now and at any future review requested by the Parish Council.

Reasons:

1.    To enable the Parish Council to raise revenues for the ongoing upkeep of the car park and other parish activities.

2.     To ensure that tariffs for parking in this car park are appropriately balanced between the needs of the Parish Council and against the need to ensure that tariffs do not result in unintended consequences in the wider parish and neighbouring areas. To also allow future flexibility in the setting of those charges.