Car Park Fees and Charges
Minutes:
Car Park Fees and Charges
Cllr Cushing asked if it would be possible to take recommendations B to H on block: but proposed that recommendation A should be changed so there was no increase in the fees on Standard car parks.
Cllr Cushing explained that the proposal initially was for a flat rate increase of 20p per hour across all car parks, which would have raised £410,000. At the time it was explained that the Council were looking to raise circa £400,000 from this proposal and it was then other permutations were discussed. At the time he had suggested no increase for the Standard car parks. Standard car parks only represent 9% of income and therefore the 10p increase would only raise £32,700. If we looked at the proposals currently put forward, he stated they will actually raise over £473,000 well above the £410,000 that was initially proposed.
Cllr Cushing therefore proposed that losing the £32,000 increase through the 10p per hour rise across the Standard car parks, the Council would still raise £440,000. This would provide a great deal of support to the shop owners in inland towns such as Fakenham, North Walsham and Stalham. So, while this proposal would have no impact on the Council, as it is such a small amount of money to the Council it would provide big support for businesses.
Cllr Shires responded that she was very grateful for the support across all parties with rising to the challenge of the financial deficit. She welcomed the seriousness to which everyone had taken the conversations.
She recognised that the Overview and Scrutiny committee had been very bold with their discussion on the proposed increases and was very grateful to them for this. Increases have been looked so that they are in line with inflation, as we need to cover the maintenance of our carparks. Tried to do this as fairly as possible. Residents in resorts and coastal areas need to visit shops and town centre businesses in their local towns as well.
Parking permits provide best value for money for those residents who want to use the car parks regularly.
We do need to raise in line with inflation across all car parks.
Cllr Cushing formally proposed the change of no increase in Standard car parking tariffs. The point is we don’t need to do anything we don’t want to. £32,000 will be negligible against a budget of many millions of pounds. The Council should be looking at its economic development priorities to help enhance the economy is our local market towns. Cllr Cushing stated that his proposal was endorsed by Fakenham Town Council and also the Town Council in Stalham. Still raising well above what was proposed to be raised when these fee increases were first put forward.
Cllr Taylor confirmed he was happy to second the amended proposal to support Stalham business owners.
Cllr Penfold took issue with Cllr Cushing’s comment of £32,000 not being a lot of money, when one of his members previously stated that £30,000 for the Collector’s Cabin roof was quite a large amount of money. Cllr Penfold suggested that Cllr Cushing Couldn’t have it both ways - £32,000 either is or isn’t a large sum of money. The increase will be for increased maintenance costs and upkeep of the car parks.
Cllr Adams agreed with Cllr Penfold. £32,000 is a lot of money and if the £32,000 is removed from the car parking income it will need to be found elsewhere. Inflation has impacted the cost of services. Discretionary services are provided in the inland towns as well as in coastal and resort areas and these have all increased in costs. The car parks have ensured we have been able to fund discretionary services across the district. Needs to increase on a relatively frequent basis to keep up with the increasing costs.
All here to represent our communities but we need to take responsibility for the budget as a whole.
Cllr Vickers stated that Cllr Penfold was comparing apples and pears. The roof of a kiosk in a park could not be compared with the many local businesses in Stalham, Fakenham and North Walsham.
Cllr Toye interjected that beyond anecdote there is little published evidence that links parking charges to town footfall. Lack of signage and ability to find businesses can make it difficult. The increased income can be used to support businesses through our economic growth processes. If we don’t put the car parking charges up, the Council will need to find additional funds from elsewhere which could result in the reduction of other services.
Cllr Paterson enquired as to the inflation rate being used as the inland fees show an inflation of 12% but current inflation sits at 4%.
Cllr Shires answered that the figures were based on the accumulated inflation since the prices were last increased. Fees have not been increased annually, but this is something that will be looked at annually moving forward.
Cllr Fredericks asked when the Council last raised car parking fees and stated that if we do not increase fees does that mean the costs would fall to Council taxpayers rather than those that use the facilities.
Cllr FitzPatrick refuted Cllr Toye’s comment and stated that the federation of Small Business say the opposite, that parking charges can have a direct impact on the number of people visiting towns. There is always the differential, meaning that some places will pay more for car parking. Currently the places that are really affected are small towns. North Walsham may have seen a revival but that is not the same in Stalham, Fakenham and even Holt. A car park in Fakenham is just about to be closed so there will be a saving in maintenance costs for this, on top of the saving of closing the public lavatory. Really important that we support our market towns. It is a small amount of money, but it is about being seen to do the right thing by supporting market towns.
Cllr FitzPatrick supported freezing the car parking fees for market towns and allowing prosperous towns to take the weight.
Cllr Toye stated there was no doubt that the car parks are required but alongside this comes the responsibility to maintain them, if we don’t increase fees, it will be harder for people to accommodate larger price increases that will be required in the future. If there are no people in town, it is not because of car parking charges.
Cllr Vardy responded that he sees no issue with an inflation-based increase in car park fees. Car parks generate about £700,000 net profit per annum, it would be very useful if there was some kind of communication strategy to explain use of profits for discretionary services. Improved toilets and other facilities, benefits to economy in a positive way.
The Chair moved to take a vote on the proposal that fees for the Standard car parks do not increase.
In Favour – 11
Against – 18
Abstain – 1
Proposal Failed
Cllr Adams explained that the Council has seen £500,000 in inflationary pressure. The increase in car parking fees will help to ensure we are able to run facilities and maintain assets. Assets across the district cost a lot of money to maintain. Car parking fees contribute to ensure we are able to accommodate so many visitors. Revenue is put to use supporting services. These car parking fees are still lower than many other comparable coastal areas. Revenue is now being eaten into by other pressures across the Council, sustaining assets is becoming increasingly challenging.
The Chair moved to a vote on proposal A
In Favour - 17
Against - 11
Abstain - 2
The Chair moved to a vote on proposals B to H
Favour – 30
Against – 0
Abstain – 0