Issue - meetings

To give consideration to the Call In of the above decision

The Committee reviewed the Cabinet decision of 16 June 2009 for car parking control and charging in the area of the former Borough of Congleton.

Councillor Baxendale attended the meeting to explain the reasons for the Call In. The Portfolio Holder, Head of Service for Safer and Stronger Communities, Parking Manager and Legal Consultant attended the meeting to explain the background to the decision and answer to any questions.

Councillors S Jones, L Gilbert, A Kolker, A Moran, B Moran and A Thwaite also attended the meeting to speak in respect of this item.

Members raised questions relating to the consultants report being flawed and inaccurate, the proposed parking charges, the number of car parks and parking spaces taken into account, the consultation process, residents parking schemes, civil enforcement and proposed tariff bands.

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that resident parking schemes would be considered for every town and that tariff bands were being developed in time for the 20010/11 budget.

Due to having a personal and prejudicial interest the Portfolio Holder withdrew from the room once he had explained the reasons for the decision and answered any questions.

Following detailed consideration of the explanations and reasons for the decision, the Committee decided to offer the following advice to Cabinet:

1. That Cabinet ensure that the facts and figures contained within the report are correct
2. That the charging policy be standardised across the Borough
3. That parking be free of charge for the first hour
4. That the consultation period for the off street car parking order be extended to two months
5. That the Council’s Parking Strategy be adhered to.

Members also agreed that in future any policy issues should be submitted to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee prior to Cabinet consideration.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet give consideration to the above advice