Agenda item

Consider report by Chief Roads Officer.  (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Officer Roads on the progress and findings of the Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) Working Group and to seek permission to undertake further work and analysis prior to a final decision being made in relation to the control of on-street parking.  The report explained that following the withdrawal of the traffic warden service there had been a reduced monitoring and enforcement service of waiting and loading restrictions within the area’s towns and villages.  This in turn had led to concerns of reduced compliance and poorer traffic management as well as increased public dis-satisfaction and complaint.  An officer/member Working Group was set up to look into the issue and explore the options available to the Council in relation to the future control of on-street parking. The Working Group had concluded its work and made recommendations on what it considered the preferred way forward for the Council.  The report noted that much of the information on illegal parking was to a large extent anecdotal.  In order to undertake a proper analysis of the scale of the problems a specialised company would be required to undertake full day surveys and analysis in a number of key towns. Indicative costs of £17,700 had been obtained for undertaking 0800 -1800 surveys and providing detailed analysis in a number of key town centres.  It was proposed that the single day parking surveys were undertaken in the towns listed in the report and a further report brought back to Council prior to deciding upon whether to proceed with the feasibility study outlined.  Members supported the survey proposal and Councillor Parker moved approval of an amended recommendation (d) to include the towns of Eyemouth, Jedburgh, Innerleithen, Lauder and Selkirk at an increased cost of £32,500.  Councillor Bhatia also requested that West Linton be included.  Members supported these additions and commented on the issues in particular towns.  While many of the complaints about parking came from businesses, few were received from the public so any changes would need to be subject to full consultation.  Councillor Cockburn, seconded by Councillor Moffat, moved in terms of Standing Order 36 “That the question be now put”.  On a show of hands Members voted as follows:-

For         -         22 votes

Against  -         6 votes

The debate was therefore closed.

DECISION

(a)     NOTED:-

          (i)      the updated position in regard to on-street parking control and in particular the findings and recommendations of the Member/Officer Working Group;

          (ii)     the concerns raised under financial risks in terms of affordability; and

          (iii)    the alternative of using the powers provided within the Police and Fire (Reform) Act 2012 to inform the Local Policing Plan as a mechanism for greater control of on-street parking enforcement in the future.

(b)     AGREED:-

          (i)      to the funding of parking studies in the following key town centres;

                   Duns, Eyemouth, Galashiels, Hawick, Jedburgh, Kelso, Innerleithen, Lauder, Melrose, Peebles, Selkirk and West Linton at an indicative cost of £32,500 to be funded from within the existing Place budget;

          (ii)     that following the analysis of the parking studies a further report on the findings would be presented to the Council in September 2016; and

          (iii)    that should the Council decide to support DPE then a full public consultation be undertaken and that proposed details on this be presented to the Council in September 2016.