Agenda item

  Report of Director of Environment and Culture.

Cabinet agreed to introduce free one hour car parking and a 40p reduction for the second hour in the following town centre premier car parks:

·              Mayorhold

·              St Michael’s

·              St John’s (multi-storey)

Cabinet agreed to reduce car parking charges by 20p for the first hour (where one hour charges apply) and by 40p for the second hour in all of the other town centre premier car parks.

Cabinet agreed to introduce free Sunday car parking in all town centre premier car parks.

Cabinet noted the financial implications of the proposal contained in the report, as set out at paragraph 4.3.

Cabinet delegated to the Chief Executive authority to implement changes to the proposal contained in the report, in response to the statutory consultation process, if he deems it necessary and appropriate to do so.

Cabinet noted that further proposals to improve town centre car parks may be brought forward to Cabinet as they are identified and developed.

Councillor Mennell commented that she was delighted with the report and welcomed the recommendations. She questioned if there were any further plans to decrease the annual cost of residents parking permits.

Councillor Beardsworth addressed Cabinet and while she welcomed the report she expressed some concerns with regards to the financial implications and questioned what the consequences would be if fewer people visited the area. She further questioned whether there were significant shopping offers that would encourage people to visit and noted that she would not be in favour of the Free Car Parking should it come at a cost to other services and suggested that the report be taken to Overview and Scrutiny to examine the procedures to ensure there would be limited financial loss.

Councillor Glynane commented that he was encouraged that ‘pay on foot’ car parks would lead to an increase in visitors and shoppers in the Town Centre. However, it was noted that he had concerns about financial risks and did not want any consequential shortcomings passed on to tax payers. He concurred with Councillor Beardsworth suggestion that the report should be taken before the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Strachan welcomed the proposals and hoped that the free Car Parking would attract visitors and new trade to the area. In reference to the evaluation due to take place in February 2012, he asked how the costs of the implementation on the recommendations would be measured. 

Councillor Hadland, as the relevant Portfolio Holder introduced the report. He stated that free Car Parking was a serious attempt at encouraging and attracting people to Northampton. He further commented that extensive research had been conducted on the matter prior to the election and town centre parking had proved to be of major concern to residents.  He congratulated the officer’s ability to deliver the report in a short space of time especially as the Administration had wanted the free parking implemented before Christmas 2011. Referring to the aforementioned financial risks, he reported that the report did not take into consideration the amount of extra money being bought into the Town by an increase of shoppers, with people being attracted from further a field. The evaluation, to be held in February 2012, would provide information of the effect of free car parking and Councillor Hadland expressed his confidence that it would be of success and significantly improve the Town Centre.

Councillors Malpas and Yates welcomed the report and reported that the free parking on Sundays would attract people into the Town Centre and provide people with an increased incentive to visit Northampton.

The Chairman stated that the reaction of business to the proposed free parking had been very positive and he welcomed the report. It was noted that the incentive of free parking would be critical in attracting people to Northampton and spending money and booting trade. He commented that Overview and Scrutiny had not established a work programme but would welcome any measure taken by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the introduce of a free one hour car parking and a 40p reduction for the second hour in the following town centre premier car parks be agreed:

·        Mayorhold

·        St Michael’s

·        St John’s (multi-storey)

2.      That car parking charges be reduced by 20p for the first hour (where one hour charges apply) and by 40p for the second hour in all of the other town centre premier car parks be agreed.

3.      That free Sunday car parking in all town centre premier car parks be introduced

4.      Cabinet noted the financial implications of the proposal contained in the report, as set out at paragraph 4.3.

5.      That authority to implement changes to the proposal contained in the report, in response to the statutory consultation process, if deemed necessary and appropriate to do so, be delegated to the Chief Executive

6.      That further proposals to improve town centre car parks may be brought forward to Cabinet as they are identified and developed.