Issue details

This report sets out the results of a detailed review of the Council’s Parking Service and provides options for the future delivery of the service.

The on-street parking enforcement Agency Agreement with Hampshire County Council was terminated, at the County Council’s request, on 31 March 2020. 

In order to prepare for this change, the Executive agreed to a wide-ranging review of the Parking Service. This took place during 2019 with desk research, parking surveys and a public consultation feeding into the analysis.  The detailed results of the review can be found in Appendix A.

A new General Enforcement Team has been created and was fully operational by 01 April 2020, at which point the Council was no longer responsible for on-street parking.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, charging for town centre car parks ceased between 25 March and 1 June 2020.  This resulted in lost income of just over £300,000, placing further financial pressure on the Council.

The proposals for the future are outlined in the report and have the potential to generate a significant new revenue stream for the Council which will help to offset the costs of the parking service, including major improvements to Osborn Rd Multi-Storey Car Park, as well as contributing to the £1.5 million shortfall in the Council’s medium term financial plan.