Decision details

The Committee received and considered a report which set out the current situation regarding the existing on-street enforcement agency agreement with Surrey County Council. This agreement expired on 31 March 2018.  The County Council was seeking an indication from this Borough Council by 1 July 2017 as to whether it wished to participate in joint working arrangements regarding on-street and off-street parking beyond the expiry of this agreement. However, it was clarified that the County Council could only enforce a solution in relation to on-street parking.

The report highlighted that there appeared to be significant uncertainties in regards to the proposals: for example, how on-street and off-street enforcement surpluses (or deficits) would be treated and careful consideration would be required before the Council entered into any binding agreements.  Equally, the Council needed to seek to ensure that it tried to avoid having imposed on it arrangements which were detrimental to this authority. 

It was clearly to Surrey County Council’s benefit to deal with on-street parking with Boroughs and Districts clustered together rather than dealing with each individually. It also provided the potential for cost savings in some areas although thought would need to be given to that totality of the impact of change.

Given that a decision was required by the County Council by 1 July, it was recommended, on balance, that the Council ought to participate in joint working arrangement discussions with the County Council and other Borough Councils regarding both on-street and off-street parking arrangements but should reserve the right as to whether or not to join the arrangement once full details of the proposals were available.  This possibly included being named in any tender documents issued by Surrey Council

Accordingly, the Committee:

(1)          Agreed in principle that the Borough Council participate in joint working arrangement discussions to find a solution to the provision of on-street enforcement after 31 March 2018, including being named in any tender documents issued by Surrey County Council or otherwise, but reserving the right to make a decision as to whether or not to join the arrangement when details of the new proposals were available;

(2)          Agreed in principle to the Borough Council participating in joint working arrangement discussions regarding off-street enforcement after 31 March 2018, including being named in any tender documents issued by Surrey County Council or otherwise, but reserving the right to make a  decision as to whether or not to join the arrangement when details of the new proposal were available;

(3)          Authorised the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chairman of the Environment Committee, to progress discussions and negotiations on this issue.