Issue - meetings

(i)                  That the updates to the Council’s Car Parking Strategy 2019-29 be approved.

(ii)                 That consultation on a Traffic Regulation Order amendment be commenced and the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth be authorised to make any necessary recommendations and adopt the Traffic Regulation Order.

(iii)               That the Christmas Period Free Parking times, as set out in the report, be noted and endorsed.

(iv)               That it be approved that the Portfolio Member for Finance, Town Centres and Growth has flexibility in setting the Castle Car Park parking charges once open, as noted in the report.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth introduced a report giving an update on the Council’s Car Parking Strategy which set out the Council’s plans and ambitions for its owned car parks, in particular the new Castle Car Park.

The Portfolio Holder stated that the Strategy should have been reviewed next in 2029 but, with the development of the new Castle Car Park and the closing of the Midway, it was being reviewed this year. 

The Strategy highlighted free parking on 5 event days throughout the year, in conjunction with the BID; dates for this years’ free parking on the run up to Christmas  were noted as 21^st and 22^nd December, 28^th and 29^th December and 4^th and 5^th January. 

The Leader welcomed this stating that service level car parks would be just as important as the new Castle Car Park. 

The new car park was due to open early in the new year and was a signature development on the edge of town. It was a secure and well lit car park. 

Resolved:    (i)       That the updates to the Council’s Car Parking Strategy

                              2019-29, be approved.

(ii)      That consultation on a Traffic Regulation Order

amendment be commenced and the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth be authorised to make any necessary recommendations and adopt the Traffic Regulation Order.

(iii)           That the Christmas Period Free Parking times, as set out in the report, be noted and endorsed.

(iv)           That it be approved that the Portfolio Member for Finance, Town Centres and Growth has flexibility in setting the Castle Car Park parking charges once open, as noted in the report.

Watch the debate here