Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration.

A review of the car parking strategy in the Town Centre has been undertaken to ensure that the Council’s approach is fit for purpose in light of the level of change in the town centre; that the approach supports longer term aspirations for the town centre; and that it takes account of future developments and demand for parking.

Following review by Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee in November, informal consultation on the draft strategy has been undertaken with key stakeholders in Stockport Town Centre to seek feedback on the proposals. The draft strategy has been revised to take account of the feedback received.

In light of this feedback, Cabinet is recommended to review and adopt the Stockport Town Centre Car Parking Strategy.

Cabinet is recommended

•     Note the feedback received from stakeholders and the changes made to the draft strategy as a result

•     Endorse the adoption of the revised strategy

•     Consider the proposals identified by the Economy & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee to undertake a similar review of current parking policy for the district centres.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson, 0161-474-4351, sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider a revised Car Parking Strategy for the Town Centre that had been reviewed in light of changes to have taken place and to ensure it supported the longer term aspirations, future developments and demands for parking in the Town Centre.

The Cabinet Member emphasised the need for the existing Strategy to be reviewed, given the significant changes taking place in the Town Centre, and the importance of keeping its provisions under review to ensure it supported and enhanced the vitality of the Town Centre.

The Cabinet Member also supported the proposal from the Environment & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee that a similar review and strategy was needed for district centre parking.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Car Parking Strategy

·         the feedback received from stakeholders and the changes made to the draft strategy as a result be noted;

·         the adoption of the revised strategy be endorsed;

·         approval be given to the suggestion of the Economy & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee for a similar review of current parking policy for the district centres be undertaken.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The draft strategy provides an overarching framework and a proposed way forward in line with the identified objectives. The objectives, particularly those relating to tariff structures and income generation, are intrinsically linked to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan.  Details of proposals relating to the Medium Term Financial Plan are to be considered by the Communities and Housing Scrutiny Committee at its meeting to be held on 4 December 2017.

Following review by the Scrutiny Committee at its last meeting, informal consultation on the draft strategy has been undertaken with key stakeholders in Stockport Town Centre to seek feedback on the proposals.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note and comment on the strategy before it is submitted to Cabinet for adoption.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing feedback on the consultation on the draft strategy which had been undertaken with key stakeholders in Stockport Town Centre and seeking feedback on the proposals.

The Cabinet Member (Economy & Regeneration) answered questions in relation to the report.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Committee noted that the current car parking strategy for Stockport Town Centre was adopted in 2012, and since then, there had been a period of change in which the nature of the town centre and local road network had changed significantly as a result of ongoing investment through programmes such as TCAP and schemes such as Redrock and Stockport Exchange.

·         The draft strategy provided an overarching framework and a proposed way forward in line with the identified objectives. The objectives, particularly those relating to tariff structures and income generation, were intrinsically linked to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).

·         Whilst great efforts were being made to encourage residents to use public transport especially when accessing the town centre – it was still vital to ensure that the car parking strategy was working as effectively as possible.

·         Flexibility had been built into the strategy to allow it to react as the size of the Town Centre changes – there would also been enhanced harmonisation of tariffs amongst the Council owned car parks.

·         The effect of new developments and the need to ensure that any new developments do not have any adverse effect. The Local Plan was integral to this process and how the Council wanted places to function.

·         Town Centre Living work was underway to assess the potential for increased town centre living.

·         Future revenue streams associated with electric parking.

·         The Chair reported that he had requested that the report in relation to District Centre car parking be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The draft Car Parking Strategy provides an overarching framework and a proposed way forward in line with the identified objectives. The objectives, particularly relating to tariff structures and income generation, are intrinsically linked to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan. Details of the proposals relating to the Medium Term Financial Plan are to be reviewed by the Communities and Housing Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note and comment on the draft Car Parking Strategy.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overarching framework and a proposed way forward in line with identified objectives. The objectives, particularly relating to tariff structures and income generation, were intrinsically linked to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan.

The Stockport Town Centre Parking Strategy had been prepared to reflect the period of change in the town centre driven by a number of recent and proposed developments within the town centre such as Redrock and Stockport Exchange and changes in the local road network through the Town Centre Access Plan. A review of the car parking strategy in the Town Centre had been undertaken to ensure that the Council’s approach was fit for purpose in the light of the level of change in the town centre; that the approach supported longer term aspirations for the town centre and that it took account of future developments and demand for parking.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor Kate Butler) attended the meeting to present the report and respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• A Member expressed the view that the real car parking problems were in the district centres where councillors continually received complaints from residents unable to park in the street in which they lived.
• More detail was required on how the new car parks proposed in the consultants’ report would be paid for.
• The design of parking bays would need to be cognisant of disabled people using electric cars in the future.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.