Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Steve Conquest, who had been invited to attend as a Local Ward Member.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests in any item on the agenda

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a total period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relevant to the work of the meeting. Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers.

During public speaking time, members of the public may ask questions of the appropriate Cabinet member who has responsibility for the matter in question. Where a member of the public wishes to ask a question of a Cabinet member at an executive meeting, 3 clear working days’ notice must be given to the Democratic Services Manager.

There were no questions from members of the public.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2009.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting of 19 May 2009 be approved as a correct record.

To consider proposals for the resurfacing of Thomas Street (West) Car Park, Crewe.

The Cabinet Member considered a report on the resurfacing of Thomas St (West) Car Park, Crewe, including the approval of the necessary capital expenditure and appointment of a contractor.

The present condition of the car park rendered it unsuitable for the imposition of charging or enforcement of regulations. The completion of work on the second half of the site would fulfil the requirements of control and space availability whilst providing the remainder of the estimated income.

A new capital scheme for Thomas Street Car Park with forecast expenditure of £105,000 was approved by Cheshire East Cabinet on 24th February 2009. Based on the previous experience of the works required on Thomas Street (East) car park, it was envisaged that the total cost of works would now fall below £100,000. However, when the scheme was approved it was classified as an "unfunded" scheme which, in order to proceed, would require the Service to find annual revenue savings of £24,000 (assuming a 5 year total payback) in order to fund the borrowing costs required. It was envisaged that the future income stream from pay and display charging on the car park, once it was operational, would be up to £30,000 per annum which would more than offset the financing costs of the scheme. In year 2009/10 this was expected to amount to £20,000 if charging commenced in August 2009.

RESOLVED

That provided that it is approved that the car park is to be brought into line with current charges at other car parks

(1)   the scheme of expenditure for the resurfacing of Thomas Street (West) Car Park, Crewe be approved; and

(2)   the Officers be authorised to engage a contractor for the scheme using the contractor previously selected by the former Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council, provided an exception is approved in accordance with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.

To consider a proposal to introduce pay and display parking at Thomas Street Car Park, Crewe, subject to the outcome of public consultation.

The Cabinet Member considered a report proposing the introduction of parking charges on Thomas Street Car Park, Crewe.

Thomas Street car park remained one of few car parks near the town centre of Crewe with no pay and display charge regime. The proposal was initially approved by the former Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council on the grounds that as demand for parking in the town increased, regulation of the car park would be necessary to improve the availability of space.

The Cheshire East Cabinet had adopted a Car Parking Strategy at its meeting on 16 April 2009. The Strategy stipulated that in principle, all car parks could be considered for charging subject to the fulfilment of criteria stated within the charging policy. This proposal brought Thomas St Car Park into line with that policy.

Note: Councillor Steve Conquest, who was a Local Member for the Crewe East Ward, had forwarded his comments which were reported at the meeting.

RESOLVED

That

(1)   subject to statutory consultation, an amendment be made to the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich (General) (Off-Street Parking Places) (Consolidation) (Minor) Order 2008 to introduce a pay and display system of parking at Thomas Street Car Park, Crewe;

(2)   charging be introduced at the Thomas Street Car Park at the level of charging existing in the said 2008 Order but with amendments as follows: Monday to Friday inclusive  8am to 5pm: Up to 1 hour = 70p; Up to 2hrs = £1.00; 2-4hrs = £1.50; 4 to 10hrs = £2.20; Saturday and Sunday: free parking. Season tickets will also be sold at a fee of £400 per annum, limited to a maximum of 50% of available bays;

(3)   the additional set-up costs referred to in the report be funded via the new income stream; and

(4)   the proposal be advertised for the statutory period of 21 days and any objections be considered by the Cabinet Member at a subsequent meeting.

To consider a proposed amendment to the Off-Street Parking Order (Crewe and Nantwich) to include the Civic Centre (Library) Car Park, Crewe.

The Cabinet Member considered an amendment to the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich (General) (Off-Street Parking Places) (Consolidation) (Minor) Order 2008 to include the Civic Centre (Library) Car Park, Crewe.

The Car park had previously been managed by Cheshire County Council outside of Car Park Order control and was not subject to enforcement. It was now necessary to make the amendment to enable Cheshire East Parking Services to manage the site properly.

RESOLVED

That

(1)   an amendment be made to the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich (General) (Off-Street Parking Places) (Consolidation) (Minor) Order 2008 (as amended to comply with the Traffic Management Act 2004), the effect of which will be to introduce control under the Act to The Civic Centre (Library) Car Park, Crewe;

(2)   the controlled hours be from 8am to 6pm Monday to Sunday inclusive, in accordance with the existing Order as applicable in the area of the former Borough of Crewe and Nantwich; and

(3)   the proposal be advertised for the statutory period of 21 days and any objections arising during this period be considered by the Cabinet Member at a subsequent meeting.