Cabinet to review off-street car parking charges and parking permits

On Monday 11 November, Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Cabinet will be considering a proposal to review off-street car parking charges and parking permits.

The report sets out proposals for The Cabinet, following a review, to increase parking charges and withdraw a concessionary parking permit to allow the District Council to support the climate emergency as well as increasing revenue to ease budget pressures.

Cllr Ian Shenton, Operations Portfolio says: "The rationale behind this proposal is twofold - firstly to support the climate emergency and secondly to look at increasing Council revenue.

"The District Council is facing significant financial pressures with continued reductions in grant funding from Central Government and this means that the District Council must consider a number of efficiency saving and/or income generation options to meet future budget deficits.

"Off-street car parking charges have not been reviewed for seven years and we are only proposing increases in line with RPI. A review of other Council's parking charges has been undertaken as well as reviewing private car park providers in Stratford-upon-Avon and this has established that the revised parking tariffs, would still be competitive and not considered to be excessive.

"The over 65s permits appear to be an anomaly, as only two other Council's provide them. Over 65s currently have the option of receiving a free bus pass, allowing them to travel without the need to use a private car and those who cannot use buses for medical reasons may be eligible for free disabled parking under the Blue Badge scheme. The climate change initiative suggests that we should not be encouraging the use of private cars and for this reason it is proposed that the £10 over 65s concessionary parking permit is withdrawn.  

"The District Council is committed to mitigating the effects of climate change by reducing the Carbon footprint for areas that we influence or control. Private vehicle use makes a significant contribution to CO2 emissions within the District and, although it may not be a popular proposal, under the climate change initiative, habits and behaviours have to change and difficult decisions have to be made and activities that discourage private car use should be supported.

"It is hoped that the proposed changes in tariffs and withdrawal of permits will result in a reduction in car usage and an increase in sustainable transport alternatives. However, to fully address the climate change initiative, a full integrated review of the parking options will be required. This will need to be coordinated with Warwickshire County Council and private car park operators within the District and the measures proposed within the Cabinet report are interim solutions, whilst a wider review of parking provision is undertaken."    

If approved and implemented, the proposal will be to introduce an increase in car park tariffs across all Stratford-upon-Avon car parks from:

• £1.00 to £1.20 for under 1 hour's parking
  (NB: Bridgeway car park would still provide 1 hour's free parking)
• £2.00 to £2.40 for 1-2 hours
• £3.00 to £3.50 for over 2-3 hours
• £4.00 to £5.00 for over 3-4 hours
• £6.00 to £8.00 for over 4-9 hours

Should the proposal be approved, Council officers will amend: the Council's Fees and Charges Schedule and the District Council's (Off-Street Parking Places) Order 2013 which would require a statutory process, consultation, (with Warwickshire County Council and the Police among others) and timeframe before amendments can be made.

The District Council has eight chargeable car parks, seven in Stratford-upon-Avon and one in Shipston-on-Stour:

• Arden Street car park
• Bridgeway car parks
• Church Street car park
• Leisure Centre car park
• Swan's Nest Lane car park
• Recreation Ground car park
• Windsor Street car park
• Telegraph Street car park (Shipston-on-Stour) - this car park is not affected by the proposals