Decision details

The Committee considered the report which set out the proposed allocation of approved budgets for the Highways and Transport Committee, following approval of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy at full Council on 26 February 2025.

The details of the budget allocations were set out in Annex A to the report. Financial reporting would occur regularly to ensure budget adherence and prevent overspending. The financial reporting timetable for 2025/26 was set out in Annex B to the report.

Councillor M Brooks attended as a visiting Councillor and asked the following questions:

1)    Did the £2.27m cover the cost of increased enforcement as a result of the increased operation of the car parks and did it include maintenance of the car parks?

2)    Requested more detail in respect of the £450k increase in parking charges.

3)    Requested more detail in respect of the £83k allocated to capital schemes, £56k to car park improvements and £27k to digital car parking solutions.

Officers agreed to provide a written response outside of the meeting.

In response to questions raised by Committee in respect of the following, officers agreed to provide a written response outside of the meeting.

1)    What would be the financial impact on the Highways and Transport budget going forward as result of the exploration to reduce the capacity of Churchill Way and Dukes Street car parks in Macclesfield?

2)    Was there an expected increase in revenue from penalty charge notices given the extended charging hours?

3)    Car parking expenditure – was the cost of assessing any surplus car parking provision across the borough included in the expenditure for this financial year?

Members of the committee were asked to write to the Director of Transport and Infrastructure with any further enquires related to car parking.

A request was made by Committee for prominent signs to be displayed in car parks to ensure the public were well informed about the new charging policies in car parks to avoid any confusion and ensure compliance.

In relation to a question raised about investment in new technology, officers agreed to provide a briefing for members to share the innovative solutions that officers were looking at as potential investments for the future.

In response to a question about allocation of budget and any underspend officers undertook to engage with the committee on how any additional funding was allocated.

RESOLVED: That the Committee

1 note the decision of the Finance Sub Committee to allocate the approved revenue and capital budgets, related budget changes items and earmarked reserves to the Highways and Transport Committee, as set out in Annex A to the report.

2 note the financial reporting timetable for 2025/26, as set out in Annex B to the report, as approved at the Finance Sub Committee on 10 March 2025.