Contact: Richard Hague, tel 01962 857807 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That approval be given in principle to the introduction of on-street parking charges in Rushmoor, as governed by Section 45 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

(ii) That the levels of charge be approved at 20p for 20 minutes (and multiples of this) for short stay parking close to the retail outlets, and £2.60 per day for all day parking in more remote localities.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aim 2 of the Corporate Strategy (Stewardship of the environment) by controlling parking demand and encouraging use of other modes of transport. Where there is on-street parking it ensures best use is made of the facilities available by setting charges at a premium rate, within an overall parking strategy, to increase usage of off-street car parks and maintain access and availability of prime on-street parking spaces to those who need them.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 No other suitable option.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor J K Glen

7. Introduction

7.1 Rushmoor Borough Council has proposed the introduction of on-street parking charges for limited period parking spaces at selected locations within the Borough for which no fee is currently payable. The charges would be levied at a premium rate as part of an overall parking strategy.

8. Background

8.1 The County Council has previously approved the introduction of on-street charging in Southampton and Portsmouth prior to Local Government Reorganisation in 1997 and, more recently, in Winchester in 2002.

8.2 Since June 2002 Rushmoor Borough Council has undertaken parking enforcement in the Borough, both on-street and off-street. This takes place under the provisions of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE), which was brought into operation by a Statutory Instrument made on 14 May 2002. On-street enforcement is carried out by the Borough Council under an Agency arrangement with the County Council.

8.3 The proposed introduction of on-street parking charges at selected locations in Rushmoor is considered an essential element of the parking management strategy in the Borough. A premium charge at these locations is intended to be a more effective and consistent means of regulating parking, encouraging a higher level of compliance and making enforcement easier due to the requirement for parking tickets to be displayed.

8.4 Under current legislation, revenue accrued from on-street charges is put towards the operational costs of the parking account and any surplus generated is used for the improvement of parking provision, highways and transport. The agency agreement between the County Council and Rushmoor Borough Council defines the use of any surplus in this way and makes provision for the approval of the County Council. The agreement also requires parking charges to be subject to annual review, which accords with the Borough Council's present policy on the control of off-street charges.

9. Charges Proposed by Rushmoor Borough Council

9.1 Rushmoor's off-street charges for 2004/05 have been set at 40p per hour for `general' shoppers' parking and 50p per hour for `premium' shoppers' parking. The proposed on-street charges are 20p for 20 minutes (equivalent to 60p per hour) at selected sites where a need has been identified to support local trade. This would apply to approximately 150 parking spaces.

9.2 In addition, there are several on-street locations where excessive demand on unregulated streets has resulted in indiscriminate parking. It is felt that these streets would benefit from regulation and the introduction of a long-stay charge of £2.60 per day, which is at least 40p per day higher than the all-day charge in Rushmoor Borough Council long-stay car parks.

10. Commentary

10.1 The use of various levels of parking charge helps to regulate parking trends and motorists' behaviour. The differentiation of parking facilities and charges encourages motorists to use facilities appropriate to their needs. Whilst on-street enforcement serves to regulate any abuse of limited waiting facilities in Rushmoor, the number of these spaces within the Borough makes enforcement alone a rather blunt instrument. The implementation of a parking charge, and thus the requirement to display a parking ticket, would make compliance more likely and enforcement more efficient, since the parking attendant then need only inspect the vehicle for a valid ticket rather than patrol the zone in anticipation of a vehicle exceeding the permitted waiting time.

10.2 The implementation of parking charges would be at selected locations only, typically where 10-15 parking spaces are grouped together in close proximity to shops or businesses to create `pop-in' facilities. The means of payment would be by ticket machine. The `freeing-up' of short stay parking spaces at premium locations is seen as vital to maintaining access and availability of appropriate parking facilities to those who need them.

10.3 A further factor is that the anticipated redevelopment of two car parks in Aldershot town centre in 2004/05 will affect the availability of parking in this area. A significant reduction in capacity during the period of redevelopment will require continuous management of on-street parking spaces to prevent abuse. The introduction of a parking charge would act as both a deterrent to abuse and a catalyst for compliance.

11. Financial Implications

11.1 Income from on-street charging would accrue to the DPE Fund that in turn is subject to budgetary provision and annual reporting.

11.2 The present position of the on-street DPE Fund shows an annual deficit of approximately £150,000. This is at present cleared each year by Rushmoor Borough Council assisted from the revenue gained from their off street car parking account. The additional income from the introduction of on-street charging is estimated at between £125,000 and £150,000 per annum (based upon 50% occupancy). Any further revenue from increased use of the parking spaces will serve to reduce the deficit, eventually resulting in a surplus.

12. Conclusion

12.1 The introduction of on-street parking charges in Rushmoor would follow the precedent set by the County Council prior to and following Local Government Reorganisation. Legislation provides for the implementation of on-street charging, how the income is reported and how any surplus is used. The Agency Agreement with the Borough Council requires the consent of the County Council to implement or review charges but also determines that this consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The implementation of on-street charging is regarded as an essential element within the Rushmoor parking management strategy and it is considered that it would be reasonable to give consent to the introduction of charges as proposed.

8635/RH