Issue - items at meetings - Parking Annual Report 2011/12

Report of the Strategic Director, Place (copy attached).

1.             That the Transport Committee endorses the publication of the Parking Annual Report for 2011-12 under the provisions of the Traffic Management Act 2004.

2.             That the Transport Committee authorises the Head of City Infrastructure to produce and publish the report which will be made available on the Council’s website.

18.1               The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place that requested endorsement and publication of the Parking Annual Report for 2011-12 under the provisions of the Traffic Management Act 2004.

18.2               Councillor Phillips enquired as to what constituted ‘other income’ as highlighted in the presentation provided.

18.3               The Policy and Development Manager replied that this was in reference to things such as payments for bay suspensions.

18.4               Councillor Wealls noted that 10% of all Penalty Charge Notices (PCN’s) issued were successfully appealed. He stated he believed this figure to be high and for the reasons behind this issue.

18.5               The Policy and Development Manager clarified that the figure of 10% was in fact quite low in comparable terms. He went on to explain that the Authority viewed all appeals openly and successful appeals could include vehicle breakdown, for example. Councillor Davey supplemented that the this open approach had resulted in improved success for the Authority in defending appeals which, in itself was very high.

18.6               Councillor Hawtree noted the discrepancy in the uptake of parking permits in various areas of the city but specifically, Central Hove and Westbourne, too areas close in proximity.

18.7               The Policy and Development Manager answered that this was usually related to the density of the population and the demographic of each area.

18.8               Councillor Mitchell noted her support for online permit purchases and asked if this would also apply to visitor permits.

18.9               The Policy and Development Manager clarified that the option to apply online had recently come into effect.

18.10          RESOLVED-

1.                        That the Transport Committee endorses the publication of the Parking Annual Report for 2011-12 under the provisions of the Traffic Management Act 2004.

2.                        That the Transport Committee authorises the Head of City Infrastructure to produce and publish the report which will be made available on the Council’s website.