Decision details

The Cabinet Member for Crime, Justice and Communities presented a report on the proposed introduction of charges for Council staff to park in designated Council car parks with effect from 1 September 2011.

The Cabinet Member advised that the parking charge would be, on average, £1 per day and would bring this Council into line with many other employers in London, including local authorities, who charged for staff parking.  In addition to the income that would be generated from the scheme it would also encourage staff to reconsider their journey to work and whether other options such as car-share, cycling or walking were more viable.

Issues that arose during the discussions included:

·  Consultation with the Unions - The Corporate Director of Customer Services confirmed that there had been extensive consultation with the Unions, who remained opposed to the scheme.

·  The burden of the new charge on staff who were already faced with higher costs of living as well as the local government pay freeze;

·  The enforcement of the scheme - The Corporate Director advised that a report would be presented to the next meeting of Cabinet explaining in detail the enforcement arrangements that would be applicable once the relevant Traffic Management Orders became effective.

·  Whether staff that are designated as Essential Car Users, and therefore required to use a car by the Council to properly perform their duties, should be required to purchase a staff parking permit.

·  Whether the charge to staff should be proportionate to salaries - The Corporate Director of Customer Services advised that this option was rejected by the majority of respondents to the consultation.  The Chief Executive also advised that Chief Officers are to pay £40 per month for a priority permit.

The Chair reminded all Cabinet Members that the principle of car parking charges had been agreed by the Council as part of the 2011/12 budget process but he asked the Corporate Director to respond to the issues raised at this meeting in the report to be presented to the next Cabinet meeting in relation to increased public car parking provision and the review of existing pay and display parking charges.

Cabinet agreed:-

  (i)  To the introduction of a staff car parking permit scheme requiring staff to purchase permits to park in the following designated Council car parks, with effect from 1 September 2011:

·  Civic Centre

·  Stour Road (2 and 90)

·  Roycraft House

·  London Road Multi Storey

·  John Smith House

·  Axe Street

·  The Mall

  (ii)  To the following charges for staff car parking permits:

·  Standard Permit - £210 per annum, paid in monthly payments of £17.50 per month (through the payroll).

·  Priority Permit - £360 per annum, paid in monthly payments of £30.00 per month (through the payroll).

·  Pre-Paid Day / Half Day Permit - £10.00 for 20 half-day permits.

(Councillor McCarthy voted against the proposal and asked that this be recorded in the minutes.)