Decision details

Resolved:-

(1)            That the decisions of the Cabinet taken on 20 July 2022 in relation to the review of parking charges policy be updated to include the decisions below following representations at public consultation to accommodate the most significant concerns (see Minute No. 148/22.

(2)            That future reviews of the appropriate documents that make up the Sandwell Local Plan consider the appropriate level of parking provision in centres for the future, taking into account the level of redevelopment planned and implemented since the last review, climate change policy and facilitating modal shift through parking management.

(3)            That the proposed scales of parking charges are not applied to Sandwell Valley car parks.

(4)            That for off-street car parking, the scale of charges be reset including a new low cost 30 minute charge, removing the previous proposals for 2026 and 2027 (subject to the review) as follows:-

Outside West Bromwich

Within West Bromwich

(5)          That parking shall be free of charge at the following times with increased concessions over Christmas.

·               On Sundays,

·               Overnight between the hours of 18.00 and 08.00.

·               For Blue badge holders and

·               For all Saturdays in December (except Sandwell Valley)

·               Every Saturday for season ticket holders (except Sandwell Valley)

(6)        That short stay on-street parking charges will remain unchanged.

(7)   That all long stay season tickets are valid for use at Sandwell Valley car parks on the nominated days covered by the season ticket.

(8)            That West Bromwich long stay Season Tickets are valid for all Council long stay car parking on the nominated days.

(9)        That the annual charges for long stay season tickets that operate on nominated days of the week be set, on the basis of one season ticket per vehicle, removing the previous proposals for 2026 and 2027 (subject to the review) and based on the representations received that the proposed increases within West Bromwich are reduced and aligned more closely with charges across the Black Country Authorities as follows.

Outside West Bromwich

Within West Bromwich (also valid outside West Bromwich for the same nominated days)

(10)      That for all zero emission electric vehicles a 50% reduction in season ticket prices will apply.

(11)      That the monthly scales of season ticket charges will be levied at 10% of the annual scales of season ticket charges for car parks either within West Bromwich or outside West Bromwich as appropriate.

(12)      That at the few locations where long stay on-street parking charges are necessary, charges will be set to correspond with the off-street scale of hourly parking charges.

(13)        That the Off-Street Parking Places order is updated with the following changes.

·                 Remove Bull Street Multi Storey, West Bromwich and Morrisons car park and Market Place car park, Wednesbury.

·                 Include wording for paying by other means advertised where there is no functioning ticket machine, no refunds for season tickets and spaces marked for electric vehicle recharging to only be used when actively recharging a vehicle.

·                 Include West Bromwich Street and Causeway Green Road car parks in the main Off Street Order and revoke the two individual orders.

·                 Change the operating times for New Street Disabled car park, West Bromwich. At present it is Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm. New time 7 days a week at any time. This is to keep spaces available for blue badge holders in the evening.

·                 Include Roway Lane car park, Oldbury.

·                 Include wording so that bays marked for recharging electric vehicles, disabled badge holders and motorcycles operate at all times. This is to prevent others parking in these bays after 6pm.

(14)      That the income from parking charges is used to meet the cost of car park maintenance, electricity for lighting, business rates, parking management, operation and enforcement, implementation of Traffic Regulation Orders, traffic management and associated statutory road safety functions, toinclude parking enforcement in front of schools and working with schools to promote road safety and inform parents concerning inconsiderate parking and that  the improvement work to car parks scheduled in Appendix A is completed by the end of 2024 and in the event that income exceeds these costs that any remaining funding would contribute to public passenger transport projects or the provision of electric charging points on car parks or active travel projects.

(15)      That the Director of Borough Economy in consultation with the Head of Human Resources and Chief Executive consider mitigations for any employees that are identified as being impacted to a significantly greater extent than others due to the requirements of their job.

(16)      That the Director of Borough Economy be authorised to undertake the necessary public and statutory consultation required to introduce and amend the necessary Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO’s) for additional on-street parking restrictions where necessary;

(17)       That that the Cabinet Member for Highways and Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, the Director of Borough Economy and the Director of Finance be authorised  to review the benchmarking of parking charges against the prevailing rates across the Black Country in 2025 and either confirm that the increases scheduled for 2025 will continue at that level, or require public consultation on increased rates for 2026 and 2027 to inform a further report to Cabinet for decision.

(18)      That the Director of Borough Economy be authorised to implement the approved scales of parking charges and approved recommendations as soon as possible and  to implement the approved further increases at the earliest practical opportunity in January of each subsequent calendar year.

(19)      That the Director – Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer be authorised to undertake the necessary statutory procedures to bring the approved recommendations into effect.