Agenda item

C Silva Donayre advised that the item followed on from the previous paper presented in July and that the item was open for questions.

Cllr Guest commented on the minimum stay of 2 hours and asked if this was being consulted on with businesses and individuals. C Silva Donayre advised that this had been consulted on throughout the borough and that businesses and residents can respond to the consultation once it goes out.

Cllr Guest noted the reduction of the free parking sessions in The Forge and Frogmore car parks from 1 hour to 45 minutes and asked if further reductions are anticipated until free parking is removed completely. C Silva Donayre advised that there were no policy decisions being announced on this, though to ensure financial sustainability there will continue to be decisions that need to be made, including on feasible appropriate charges.

Cllr Guest asked what the rationale was behind reducing free parking down to 45 minutes in the listed car parks. Cllr Symington advised that there was strong demand for free parking in Tring and the consultation will look into which car parks are being referred to. Feedback so far suggested that Tring car parks are used by local people for local journeys and therefore the cross-subsidy from the rest of the borough has to be balanced for these car parks against the needs of local people.

Cllr Guest commented that the reasons behind reducing free parking in Tring were to raise money for the council and deter people from using their cars. Cllr Guest suggested that these reasons were contradictory and asked how these were being reconciled. Cllr Symington stated that the proposal wasn't to deter people from using their cars but to obtain a return on capital for the assets that the council owned, as well as raising income. In the longer-term, it will be to encourage more active travel.

Cllr Guest welcomed Cllr Symington's U-turn on parking charges for Gadebridge Park following pressure from Conservative councillors. The Chair stated that the committee does not recognise that previous submissions of the paper belong to any singular councillor.

The Chair reminded the committee that, should the paper go to public consultation and the council proceeds as stated, there was nothing in the paper that gives any intention for future changes. Any further developments would come through the OSC and would need to go back out to public consultation. The Chair highlighted the cost of public consultation.

Cllr Williams commented that members take responsibility for the decisions put forward and that a report came to the Committee in June in the name of Cllr Symington proposing to remove free car parking and that a report could not come to the Committee from officers without Cllr Symington's approval. Cllr Williams suggested that, after the paper received negative feedback on social media, senior members of the administration have stated it was wholly to do with officers and he stated it was inappropriate to 'throw officers under the bus' when the report that they commissioned was negatively received by the public. Cllr Williams stated that it was appropriate for the administration to have its own policies and discourage the use of car parking and increase revenue, though it was also appropriate to own difficult decisions and not blame officers.

The Chair noted Cllr Williams' comment, adding that he was unaware of what was being referred to. The Chair clarified that the Committee has a scrutiny responsibility and that points of feedback were provided, which has evolved into the change of report being brought to the Committee today. The Chair stated that the Committee adds value to the decision-making structure and that scrutiny or challenges means that it is entirely appropriate for officers and the cabinet to make changes based on these.

Cllr Symington noted a correction, stating that they had always said they will consult and that this is an informal consultation that is clearly demarcated as an informal consultation. The amendment on free parking was not exclusive to Gadebridge Park.

Cllr Symington agreed that social media was not the correct place to discuss this and reassured members that they remain on course to have a consultation. The questions have been adjusted slightly to take feedback into account and the key change was to remove the suggestion that free car parks are withdrawn. Cllr Symington stated that she hoped that all members could support an important move forward for the whole council in terms of securing a sound financial position going forward.

Cllr Elliot referred to item 2.3 and asked for clarification on inclusion of e-bikes. B Hosier advised that the council are potentially looking at e-bikes and e-scooters for travel around the borough and may be included in the consultation to gauge interest on what level of demand there would be.

Cllr Elliot referred to item 2.4 on technology and parking. Cllr Elliot commented on tariffs and suggested that electric vehicles produce pollution through their breaking systems. C Silva Donayre advised that this was part of a wider commissioning review on how smart technology can be incorporated and policy decisions would need to be made on how this is used to differentiate tariffs or other benefits.

Cllr Williams commented on the number of recommendations going to Cabinet and public consultation and noted the suggestions to current practice that are not outlined in the report. Cllr Williams asked if there will be a more detailed report that will explain all proposals. B Hosier confirmed that the consultation will be an informal public consultation and that from the results of this there will be a requirement to set out what will be included in any notice of proposals, which will be set out as part of a formal consultation to clearly stipulate all changes.