Issue - meetings

This paper sets out interim options for Hook Road multi-storey car park prior to any re-development.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved (0 in favour of option A, 4 in favour of option B, and 3 in favour of option C) to:

(1)          Authorise officers to proceed with Option B, as highlighted in Section 3 of the report.

The Committee received a report setting out interim payment options for Hook Road multi-storey car park users prior to any redevelopment.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            Accessibility. The Committee considered that many people do not own smart phones and/or use bank cards, and that a Ringo-only payment option, as set out at option C in the report, may disadvantage people who are only able to pay with cash. The Committee considered that a hybrid approach, offering Ringo and a pay-and-display option such as option B set out in the report, might be more appropriate.

b)            Current payment options at Hook Road car park. In response to a Member, the Parking Manager confirmed that there were currently two payment machines at Hook Road car park, with one being cash only, and one being cash and card.

c)            Enforcement. Following a question from a Member, the Parking Manager explained that effectually there would not be much difference between option B and C of the report in terms of the amount of enforcement resources that would be required.

d)            Resource and time efficiency. Following comments from Members, the Chair explained that option C would be the most resource-efficient solution as there would be no requirement for Council staff to visit the car park to collect and transport cash. The Chief Accountant elaborated that option C was also the most time-efficient option in terms of administration and payment-processing costs.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved (0 in favour of option A, 4 in favour of option B, and 3 in favour of option C) to:

(1)          Authorise officers to proceed with Option B, as highlighted in Section 3 of the report.