Agenda and minutes

Items
No. Item

1.

Question from: County Councillor Iain McIntosh Subject: Off Street Car Parking Charges

 

Question From:

County Councillor Iain McIntosh

Subject:

Off Street Car Parking Charges

Question To:

County Councillor Heulwen Hulme

Portfolio Holder for Environment

 

Question:

“During this pandemic period many people are following government advice and staying at home. Unfortunately, in some parts of Powys, this has resulted in many streets and residential roads becoming congested as residents try to avoid having to pay for their vehicles to remain unused while they stay at home.

 

Will the council consider suspending off street car parking charges, where appropriate, to reduce this congestion and provide better access for NHS workers, social carers, volunteers and the emergency services in these areas?

 

If implemented, this will also reduce the risk of virus transmission through the use of car park ticket machines.”

 

Minutes:

Response by the Portfolio Holder:

 

It is acknowledged that people staying at home may put pressure on on-street parking, however it is not expected to be much different than a normal evening or weekend when most people are at home.  Whatever the situation, people should still park responsibly and in accordance with the Highway Code [rules 238 to 252 https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/parking.html]. 

 

As you aware we are in unprecedented times and our resources at this time are limited and being diverted to focus on essential front-line services.  However, if there are areas where people are parking illegally, contravening the parking restrictions such as double yellow lines, then this can be brought to the attention of out parking team who can deploy the Enforcement Officers to target that parking.  If parking is within uncontrolled areas and causes obstructions or a danger, then this can be reported to the police who can enforce those particular contraventions

 

You will also be aware that the Council needs to maintain income as much as possible during these times and therefore I cannot consider relaxing the charges within off-street car parks.