Issue - meetings

This report seeks the agreement of the Committee for off street parking fees and charges for 2025/26 as proposed by the Car Park Working Group. The report also proposes alignment of the evening tariffs in Epsom on a Monday to Saturday, a concessionary rate for performers and crew at the Epsom Playhouse and the continuation of Christmas parking offers.

The Committee resolved (6 for, 1 against, 1 abstaining) to:

(1)          Agree the proposed fees and charges as set out in section 3 of the report.

(2)          Agree the proposed parking permit prices as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

The Committee unanimously resolved to:

(3)          Agree to a concessionary rate being offered to a limited number of Epsom Playhouse performers, cast, crew or technical team as outlined in Section 3.9 and 3.10 of the report, with immediate effect.

(4)          Agree to the concessionary rate of Christmas parking as outlined in Section 3.11, 3.12 and 3.13 of the report, for the next two years.

The Committee resolved (5 for, 1 against, 2 abstaining) to:

(5)          Nominate and Authorise the Head of Housing & Community to give such notice(s) and/or make such order as is considered necessary in order to give effect to the above recommendations. That any representations to these proposals are brought back to Environment Committee in March 2025.

The Committee received a report seeking agreement for off-street parking fees and charges for 2025/26 as proposed by the Car Park Working Group. The report also proposed alignment of the evening tariffs in Epsom on a Monday to Saturday, a concessionary rate for performers and crew at the Epsom Playhouse and the continuation of Christmas parking offers.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            Car Park Working Group. The Chair confirmed that the fees and charges increases as set out in the report had been discussed and proposed by the Car Park Working Group.

b)            Amendment to Wording of Recommendation 3. Councillor Julie Morris proposed that the wording of recommendation 3 be amended to include ‘with immediate effect’. The proposal was seconded by the Vice-Chair. Subsequently, the Committee unanimously agreed to amend the wording as proposed.

c)            Tracking Car Park Usage at Christmas. In response to a question from a Member, the Parking Manager explained that it is challenging to determine precise numbers in terms of car park usage in particular car parks during the free-parking period over Christmastime due to car park users not being required to interact with the payment systems.

d)            Amendment to Wording of Recommendation 4. Councillor Julie Morris proposed that the wording of recommendation 4 be amended to set out that the decision be effective for a duration of two years. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Kieran Persand. Subsequently, the Committee agreed (5 for, 1 against, 1 Abstaining, and the Chair not voting) to amend the wording as proposed.

e)            Cost and Charges Considerations. The Committee considered the cost to the Council in running and maintaining its car parks and the importance of monitoring and reviewing car park fees and charges to ensure they are set to an appropriate rate.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved (6 for, 1 against, 1 abstaining) to:

(1)          Agree the proposed fees and charges as set out in section 3 of the report.

(2)          Agree the proposed parking permit prices as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

The Committee unanimously resolved to:

(3)          Agree to a concessionary rate being offered to a limited number of Epsom Playhouse performers, cast, crew or technical team as outlined in Section 3.9 and 3.10 of the report, with immediate effect.

(4)          Agree to the concessionary rate of Christmas parking as outlined in Section 3.11, 3.12 and 3.13 of the report, for the next two years.

The Committee resolved (5 for, 1 against, 2 abstaining) to:

(5)          Nominate and Authorise the Head of Housing & Community to give such notice(s) and/or make such order as is considered necessary in order to give effect to the above recommendations. That any representations to these proposals are brought back to Environment Committee in March 2025.