Agenda item

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16, a petition was submitted by Mr D Gibson containing 501 signatures.

“We the undersigned petition the council to Reverse its decision to abolish free parking between 7pm and 8am in Winchester city centre car parks.

At the beginning of July, Winchester City Council introduced a fixed charge of £3.30 for any period of parking that starts between 7pm and 8am. You can reduce this cost to £1.80 if you buy an hour’s worth of parking that runs out after 7pm – you don’t have to pay any more for overnight. Over a year, even the lower charge adds enormously to the costs incurred by people who travel into town for work in the night-time economy and those who participate in community, cultural and religious activities at city-centre venues during the evening. For example, a full-time restaurant worker whose shift ends after the last bus home will pay an extra £9 per week (at the very least) to bring a car to a central car park. And members of a choir that meets weekly during term time in a city-centre venue will have to find an extra £60pa to attend rehearsals and performances. These charges are punitive, will damage the local economy and will discourage participation in community and cultural activities in the city.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16, a petition was submitted by Mr D Gibson regarding abolishing free parking between 7pm and 8am in Winchester city centre car parks. The details of the petition was set out on the agenda. Mr Gibson and Mr d’Arcy-Hughes introduced their petition.

Councillor Learney (Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency) responded to the matters in the petition as summarised as follows:

• 1250 spaces in the council’s ‘park and walk’ car parks remained free after 5pm, with less than a 10-minute walk to the city centre.
• The impact to changes to tariffs were monitored and community groups and businesses continued to be engaged.
• Winchester BID footfall data showed no appreciable difference to night-time visitors to the city centre compared to before the new tariff was implemented.
• Most hospitality staff started their shifts before 7pm and those starting after this time would not be impacted by the changes.
• The new one-hour tariff would go live from tomorrow and was a consequence of the council’s consultation with subscription-based businesses.  A volunteer permit scheme was also now in place. Blue badges were valid in un-barriered car parks. 
• The Winchester Movement Strategy was adopted in spring 2019 as council policy and the tariff changes were in support of its three aims – to reduce city centre traffic, support healthier lifestyle choices, and support sustainable growth.
• The introduction of evening car parking charges was part of the council’s long-term strategy to improve the quality of life for residents and to make Winchester a more pleasant place for visitors.
• Community organisations operated at all times of the day in the city centre when parking charges had already been in operation. 

Council then proceeded to debate the petition and matters therein and in summary, the following matters were raised:

• There was plenty of free car parking that was a short walk away from the city centre. The Cattle Market car park was also on a more accessible walking route when compared to Tower Street Multi Story car park.
• The new tariffs had been implemented stating they would maintain accessibility to the city centre whilst bringing about various environmental benefits.  In reality, their introduction was to generate new income and the negative impact on residents and businesses had been significant.  Consultation feedback had been ignored.
• There was linkage previously agreed that to improve air quality, parking prices in the city centre should be increased.
• Footfall and vacancy rates in the city centre continued to be monitored. 
• Responding to feedback, some unforeseen consequences had required some adjustments or change to the scheme.
• Evening parking charges were not uncompetitive and were in place across Hampshire.
• The outcomes achieved by the new tariffs demonstrated that the council was moving ahead with improving air quality in the city centre, whilst ensuring that footfall remained high, vacancy rates remained low, and the night-time economy continued to thrive.
• If the new tariffs were an issue for some people, car sharing should be encouraged, and this also would assist with improving air quality. Everyone should challenge what they would normally want to do to help achieve improved air quality for all.
• Improving air quality and making safer streets in the city centre was vital to many people and the council must achieve these through all measures such as increasing parking tariffs.
• If there has not been a positive impact on air quality improvement and a detrimental impact on footfall etc, would the changes to charges then be reviewed?
• The Winchester BID Board has reported hat there has not been any detrimental impact on footfall to the city centre.  
• There are residents in the city centre who would wish to benefit from cleaner air.
• Residents from across the district who engaged with regular services and community groups in the city centre were subject to a negative cumulative impact from the new tariffs and were therefore penalised.  Those who have an occasional dinner out (for example) were less impacted. 
• Supporting our communities should be central to everything the council does.  There could be balances that were needed to achieve our objectives, such as those related to air quality etc.   

At conclusion of debate, Councillor Learney reiterated that it was cheaper to park in the city centre in the evening compared to the daytime and was also cheaper than travelling by bus.  The evening parking charges had not had any impact on city centre footfall and acknowledged this information would continue to be monitored, along with improvements to air quality.  

RESOLVED:

That the petitioner be thanked for bringing the matter forward and it be noted that that Council will not support the request of the petition to reverse the council’s decision to abolish free parking between 7pm and 8am in Winchester city centre car parks.