Agenda item

To provide an update and consider the case for the implementation of parking enforcement and regulation for on and off-street parking areas within the Fenland District including town centre locations. 

Members considered the Civil Parking Enforcement Update report presented by Councillor Mrs French.  

Members made comments, asked questions and received responses as follows:

·         Councillor Mrs Laws commented that parking enforcement aside, knowing the issues with illegal and irresponsible parking and that it will support the police, from Whittlesey Town Council’s point of view this will free space for shoppers who will be able to come into town and support our local retailers. We are currently under pressure over people using Whittlesey free parking and then commuting to Peterborough for the day. She thanked Councillor Mrs French for her work on this saying it will benefit both residents and retailers and will be welcomed by the community.

·         Councillor Tierney said we know residents are keen to see this happen, but they do not understand how complex such a scheme is, hence the amount of time it has taken. He thanked Councillor Mrs French saying it is great work and good to see it moving forward. 

·         Councillor Benney said this is a very good scheme and report. The implications of adopting this policy will deal with more than parking; we find that local towns get congested with people parking all day and it is killing the shopping centres. He believes it will be good for business, and with the right signage will also alleviate some of the noisy anti-social behaviour with cars congregating late at night. He said it is a good use of funds and thanked Councillor Mrs French for her work.

·         Councillor Murphy said this is an excellent scheme; we have been talking about it for a long time, which he found exasperating, and now we need it as quickly as possible.

·         Councillor Mrs French said that she agreed with Councillor Mrs Laws concerning the situation in Whittlesey and had spoken to the Mayor of the Combined Authority regarding this. There has to be a very strong business case to the CA stressing that this is part of COVID-recovery so that we can get cars parking in Whittlesey. She also thanked the towns for their agreement to each contribute £100,000 from the allocation of £1million funding towards the implantation of civil parking enforcement. In respect of Councillor Benney’s hopes to reduce antisocial behaviour, Councillor Mrs French said that would be something that would be worked on. In respect of Councillor Murphy’s statement, she agreed it had taken time; it was something she started looking at in May 2019 with the intention of putting a paper forward in October 2019 but unfortunately there was no money until the Combined Authority’s contribution. It is going to take time, but she is working with the relevant parties and pushing to shorten the timeframe.

Cabinet AGREED to note the progress made on parking enforcement options and to consider the paper which discusses the proposed introduction of parking enforcement for on/off street parking areas.

(Councillor Seaton lost connection between 16.31/16.37 but was deemed able to vote on this item)

(Garry Edwards joined the meeting during this item at 16.33 and left at 16.56)