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.  Nigel Grundy provided a list of work planned at Bouskell Car Park, including resurfacing, increased car parking spaces, a new cellular paving system, low level lighting, clearly marked parking bays, new signage and information boards in the car park and the park itself and soft landscaping to improve the overall aesthetics on the roadside.  The majority of the work is being carried out through UKSPF funding, however some funds will also be allocated from capital funding.

Cllr. Antony Moseley queried what consideration had been given to parents who use the car park to pick up and drop off their school aged children.

The Environmental Health, Housing and Community Services Group Manager responded that they had been in contact with the local school and no formal scheme has been advertised to parents.  Officers had also liaised with Leicestershire County Council and the Active Travel Officer and the park and stride scheme is not an initiative that they are aware of, or is being promoted by them. 

The Executive Director (Communities) also responded that the consultation will allow for these views from parents, and members of the public to be submitted and considered by Officers and Cabinet Executive Members.

Upon conclusion of the debate, the Chairman asked the Senior Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer (SDSSO) to provide the 3 options available to Scrutiny Commission as set out in the report.

The SDSSO responded that options 1 and 2 were available for Members to consider. Option 3 was not appropriate in this circumstance as the Cabinet Executive decision was not contrary to the policy or budget framework.

A request for a recorded vote was made by Cllr. Antony Moseley and supported by the required number of Members in accordance with Part 4, Section 1, Paragraph 17.5 of the Council’s Constitution.

Voting on Option 1 ‘The decision of the Cabinet Executive is appropriate and therefore the decision becomes effective immediately’ was taken as follows:

Voting on Option 2 ‘Commission considers that the decision should be referred back to Cabinet with written details of the Scrutiny Commission’s concerns. Cabinet will then re-consider the issue and either amend it in the light of those concerns or decide that the original decision stands. The decision then becomes effective immediately. It is not subject to further call-in’ was taken as follows:

The Chairman, Cllr. Nick Brown declared that Option 1 was carried.