Issue - meetings

Recommendation

That the Executive agrees to adopt the Parking Principles Document.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Environment presenting the draft Strategic Parking Principles which would provide an overall framework for how the council would approach parking strategy and management throughout North Yorkshire.

The Executive Member for Highways and Transportation introduced the report advising that these principles would replace the range of policies inherited from the former district councils which were currently in place.  Key themes of the principles included providing a value for money and customer focussed service reflecting local need and linking to other transport options and providing fairness across 170 car parks.  The principles would support town centres, reduce congestion, improve air quality and make communities more accessible and attractive. The council was committed to working with residents, businesses and other stakeholders as the principles were implemented.

The Corporate Director Environment, Karl Battersby, advised that local variations would be dealt with through local action plans, although there were some elements which would be applied across the whole county.  Conversations in relation to local action plans would commence in the autumn involving local Members and town and parish councils.

Councillor Chris Aldred spoke to welcome the report and requested further information on timelines, blue badge parking and disc parking schemes.  The Head of Parking Services, Steve Brown, provided further information in relation to multi-storey car parks in Harrogate in response to questions from Councillor Paul Haslam, and confirmed that in due course an app which would enable users to extend parking time in pay and display car parks would be re-introduced.  The Executive Member agreed to provide further information to Councillors Aldred and Haslam.

Resolved

That the Executive agrees to adopt the Parking Principles document.

Reasons for recommendations

The reason for adoption is to enable the planning and authoring of countywide policy where applicable and to create the necessary conditions to begin the local area action planning as already described.

Alternative options considered

The alternative to retain the existing approaches and not adopt a new policy is not feasible.