No disclosures were received.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2024 (enclosed).

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2024 as circulated, were approved and signed as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Senior Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer (enclosed). 

The Chairman, Cllr. Nick Brown welcomed Cllr. Terry Richardson (in place of Cllr. Les Phillimore, who had given his apologies) and Cllr. Nigel Grundy to the meeting.

The Chairman provided an introduction to the meeting and Officers summarised the Off Street Parking Places report considered and approved by Cabinet Executive on 16 September 2024.

Cllr. Antony Moseley, who requested the call-in, queried the purpose of the amendment made to the recommendations at the meeting.  Officers responded that the amendment would allow an additional report to be brought back to Cabinet Executive to consider consultation responses. Cllr. Terry Richardson added his support for the amendment and its significance in allowing Members to consider the responses.

Cllr. Antony Moseley questioned how the decision related to the priorities in the Blaby District Plan. 

Cllr. Terry Richardson responded that it was one of the Council’s priorities to ensure that car parks are financially self-sustaining. Improvement works to Bouskell Park Car Park were due to be carried out imminently, and in order to maintain the car park, introducing charges was necessary. Unfortunately people were using the car park at Bouskell Park to park all day for business use.

Cllr. Antony Moseley questioned the data on the usage of the car park. Cllr. Nigel Grundy responded that he had visited the car park himself and many were parking and visiting the local village and businesses. Cllr Nigel Grundy then explained how the car parks were maintained and reiterated that charges were important to cover the cost of the car parks.

Members discussed parking options and implications of charges, including an increase of on-street parking. Members also discussed Parish Council’s declining an offer to manage car parks in their localities, as did local businesses.

Cllr. Antony Moseley requested responses to his questions that he had circulated to Officers. Members discussed projected income, and the Executive Director (Communities) added that the projected income for this current year was promising.

The Environmental Health, Housing and Community Services Group Manager provided the  projected income figures for Blaby Car Parks as follows:

·         Forecast for April to August - £69,165

·         Actual income - £77,512 (through ticket sales and income only)

The Neighbourhood Services Group Manager added that there was a cost of £26,000 per annum for the car parks which included processing and transaction costs, business rates, utilities and enforcement.

In response to Cllr. Antony Moseley’s question on projected income, the Neighbourhood Services Group Manager commented a traffic count exercise was conducted over a 6 week period in March-April 2024 and the expected income is £33k-£39k. This is based on current usage of the car park.

Members questioned the traffic count exercise and whether any users of the car park were questioned on their use of the car park. Members discussed the current condition of Bouskell Car Park and the works required to bring it up to an acceptable standard.

Officers responded that the planned maintenance work and appropriate enforcement would address complaints from residents regarding accessible spaces and inconsiderate parking.

Cllr.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 323.

There were no further actions arising from the meeting.