Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) on car park charges relating to Northaw and Cuffley Parish Council (NCPC).  The Parish Council have a lease for 125 years with Welwyn Hatfield Council (WHC) to manage both Sopers Road and Maynard Place car parks since 2000. They are responsible for the maintenance and management of these car parks.

Report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) on the Northaw and Cuffley Parish Council’s (NCPC) car park charges.  The report noted that Northaw and Cuffley Parish Council has had a lease for 125 years with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (WHBC) to manage both Sopers Road and Maynard Place car parks since 2000.  Members noted that the Parish Council was responsible for the maintenance and management of these car parks.

Both of the car parks have charges, however, NCPC cannot raise charges, as there is a legal requirement for WHBC to consider as part of the Traffic Regulation Order legislation.  The current charges applied are as follows:

The report noted that the Parish Council had also made a request to change the parking restrictions by adding a requirement that vehicles leaving the car park should not return before two hours had elapsed.  This would require an amendment to the existing Traffic Regulation Order.  As Cuffley was already in the Parking Services work programme the consultation process was already underway.  The Officer advised that any objections to the proposal would be heard by this Panel and Cabinet in the usual way.

The following points were raised and discussed:

·         Evidence not having been provided to the Panel via the report.  A member was concerned regarding the approval of the proposal without factual evidence.  The Officer advised that this was a formality, as the car park and land belonged to the Parish Council and they are not obliged to provide any other information. The charges have gone through the Parish Committee approval process earlier in the year which was minuted. The Parish Council had raised this as an issue, which they take seriously and had approached the Borough Council to amend the Traffic Regulation Order to encourage turn over at the short stay car park to provide flexibility.

·         The Panel were advised that the proposal had been checked by legal.

·         The cost of all day parking at Sopers Road car park was considered together with the walking distance for motorist visiting local trades.

·         A question was raised in respect of disabled parking bays not being marked at Sopers Road car park.  It was clarified that due to this car park being off the industrial area it was not suitable for customers with mobility issues due to the route from the car park to the shops or rail station.

·         A question was raised about the wording on the signage which related to blue badges. The Officer confirmed that the proposed changes are not applicable to blue badge holders therefore the wording will not need to be changed in Maynard Place car park.

            RESOLVED

That the Panel note and recommend to Cabinet to approve the changes that Northaw and Cuffley Parish Council would like to make to the fees and charges in Maynard Place car park.