Agenda item

Recommendation from the meeting of Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel on 18 August 2022 on the Introduction of Resident Permit Parking Schemes, and other waiting restrictions, in various roads, High Dells and Hilltop, Hatfield.

(unanimous – recommendations agreed)

(1)   “The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield (Various Roads, High Dells, Hatfield) (Restriction of Waiting and Permit Parking Zones) Order 2022”

That the Panel considers the objections received in Section 9 in addition to the issues raised in Section 20 around equalities and diversity and recommends to Cabinet to proceed with permit zones with amended days and times – Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm as set out in Section 4 and the creation of the traffic regulation order for  resident permit zones; and to note the delegated powers conferred to Executive Member for Community Safety and Parking to sign an executive member decision to proceed with the creation of the traffic regulation order as advertised, subject to unanimous recommendation of the Panel.

 (2)    “The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield (Various Roads, High Dells, Hatfield) (Prohibition of Stopping and Waiting on Verge or Footway) Order 2022”

That the Panel considers the objections received in Section 9 in addition to the issues raised in Section 20 around equalities and diversity and recommends to Cabinet to proceed with the creation of the traffic regulation order as advertised; and to note the delegated powers conferred to Executive Member for Community Safety and Parking to sign an executive member decision to proceed with the creation of the traffic regulation order as advertised for the verge and footway prohibition, subject to unanimous recommendation of the Panel.

 (3)    “The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield (Various Roads, Hilltop, Hatfield) (Restriction of Waiting and Permit Parking Zones) Order 2022”

That the Panel considers the objections received in Section 9 in addition to the issues raised in Section 20 around equalities and diversity and recommends to Cabinet to proceed with permit zones with amended days and times – Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm as set out in Section 6 and the creation of the traffic regulation order for resident permit zones; and to note the delegated powers conferred to Executive Member for Community Safety and Parking to sign an executive member decision to proceed with the creation of the traffic regulation order as advertised, subject to unanimous recommendation of the Panel. 

 (4)    “The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield (Various Roads, Hilltop, Hatfield) (Prohibition of Stopping and Waiting on Verge or Footway) Order 2022”

That the Panel considers the objections received in Section 9 in addition to the issues raised in Section 20 around equalities and diversity and recommends to Cabinet to proceed with the creation of the traffic regulation order as advertised; and to note the delegated powers conferred to Executive Member for Community Safety and Parking to sign an executive member decision to proceed with the creation of the traffic regulation order as advertised for the verge and footway prohibition, subject to unanimous recommendation of the Panel.

 (unanimous – recommendation rejected)

(5)   To recommend to Cabinet to rapidly explore setting up a hardship fund for any resident within any permit parking area within the borough who can demonstrate the impact the additional cost of a permit or permits would have upon them financially and/ or socially to allow for a defined process to alleviate this pressure until it is deemed that this fund in no longer required.  

Cabinet discussed this recommendation and reached the view that the wording of this CPPP recommendation, as it stands, is likely to result in more resources being diverted to set up and manage the hardship fund, to cover the cost of a permit that is equivalent to around 58p a day. Cabinet considered that such resources would be better focused on continuing to provide other means of support to the residents of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council

Recommendation from the meeting of Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel on 18 August 2022 on the Introduction of Resident Permit Parking Schemes, and other waiting restrictions, in various roads, High Dells and Hilltop, Hatfield.

The first four Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel (CPPP) recommendations related to the creation of Traffic Regulation Orders.  A total of 89 objections were received out of 2031 properties consulted, and officers’ comments to those objections were shown in the CPPP report.  It was noted that CPPP reached unanimous decisions on recommendations 1 to 4.

RESOLVED:

(unanimous – recommendations agreed)

 (1)    “The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield (Various Roads, High Dells, Hatfield) (Restriction of Waiting and Permit Parking Zones) Order 2022”

That the Panel considers the objections received in Section 9 in addition to the issues raised in Section 20 around equalities and diversity and recommends to Cabinet to proceed with permit zones with amended days and times – Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm as set out in Section 4 and the creation of the traffic regulation order for  resident permit zones; and to note the delegated powers conferred to Executive Member for Community Safety and Parking to sign an executive member decision to proceed with the creation of the traffic regulation order as advertised, subject to unanimous recommendation of the Panel.

 (2)    “The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield (Various Roads, High Dells, Hatfield) (Prohibition of Stopping and Waiting on Verge or Footway) Order 2022”

That the Panel considers the objections received in Section 9 in addition to the issues raised in Section 20 around equalities and diversity and recommends to Cabinet to proceed with the creation of the traffic regulation order as advertised; and to note the delegated powers conferred to Executive Member for Community Safety and Parking to sign an executive member decision to proceed with the creation of the traffic regulation order as advertised for the verge and footway prohibition, subject to unanimous recommendation of the Panel.

 (3)    “The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield (Various Roads, Hilltop, Hatfield) (Restriction of Waiting and Permit Parking Zones) Order 2022”

That the Panel considers the objections received in Section 9 in addition to the issues raised in Section 20 around equalities and diversity and recommends to Cabinet to proceed with permit zones with amended days and times – Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm as set out in Section 6 and the creation of the traffic regulation order for resident permit zones; and to note the delegated powers conferred to Executive Member for Community Safety and Parking to sign an executive member decision to proceed with the creation of the traffic regulation order as advertised, subject to unanimous recommendation of the Panel. 

 (4)    “The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield (Various Roads, Hilltop, Hatfield) (Prohibition of Stopping and Waiting on Verge or Footway) Order 2022”

That the Panel considers the objections received in Section 9 in addition to the issues raised in Section 20 around equalities and diversity and recommends to Cabinet to proceed with the creation of the traffic regulation order as advertised; and to note the delegated powers conferred to Executive Member for Community Safety and Parking to sign an executive member decision to proceed with the creation of the traffic regulation order as advertised for the verge and footway prohibition, subject to unanimous recommendation of the Panel.

With regards to recommendation 5, in particular setting up of a hardship fund for any resident within any permit parking area in the borough.

The current price of a resident parking permit within Welwyn Hatfield is £30 a year, this is much lower compared to the average price of £42 in Hertfordshire.  The council already provides discounts to Blue Badge holders living in the permit area.  There is also a discounted permit for doctors and carers who need to visit the permit areas.  Moreover, residents in receipt of state pension may buy visitor vouchers at a 50% concession rate with proof of pension.  The Council have therefore already targeted support to the most vulnerable group.

The council’s own finances have been adversely affected by the high inflation rate and utility prices.  Whilst the Council are providing a lot of help and support to residents in dealing with the current cost of living crisis (the details of the various schemes are shown on the front page of our website), the Council need to ensure their financial position is sustainable in order to preserve the vital frontline services as far as possible.  The Leader wrote to the Chancellor the previous month voicing concerns about the current cost of living crisis and urging the government to provide more financial support to the local government sector.

The wording of the CPPP recommendation as it stands is likely to result in more resources being diverted to set up and manage the hardship fund, to cover the cost of a permit that is equivalent to cost at around 58p a day.  The Council feel that such resources would be better focused on continuing to provide other means of support to our residents. The Executive Member, Community Safety and Parking, could not support the recommendation from CPPP to set up a hardship fund and asked Cabinet to reject it.

RESOLVED:

(unanimous – recommendation rejected)

(5)   To recommend to Cabinet to rapidly explore setting up a hardship fund for any resident within any permit parking area within the borough who can demonstrate the impact the additional cost of a permit or permits would have upon them financially and/ or socially to allow for a defined process to alleviate this pressure until it is deemed that this fund in no longer required.