FOR INFORMATION ONLY

BOROUGH OF POOLE

LOCAL ECONOMY OVERVIEW GOUP – THURSDAY 09 NOVEMBER 2006

REPORT OF ACTING HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES ON

REVISION TO CAR PARK CHARGES FOR 2007/08

1.Purpose of Report and Policy Context

1.1To present proposals for car park charges for 2007/08.

1.2.Car park charges have a significant influence on a number of Council strategies, namely:

  1. Supporting the vibrancy of the town and districts.
  1. Encouraging sensible use of the car.
  1. Improving utilisation of Council owned assets.
  1. The Council’s financial strategy for 2007/08.
  1. Tourism Strategy

2.Recommendations

It is recommended that the Cabinet or Portfolio Holder be requested to approve:

2.1The charging structure for car parking based on the proposals detailed in Appendix B.

3.Background

3.1.The Council’s 2007/08 budget strategy requires an additional 2% income from parking charges above the current budget, which equates to a further £116,000 per annum.

3.2This target has been set in the context of the funding required to deliver the Council’s services and key priorities at a level of Council Tax increase which is acceptable to Council taxpayers. Efficiency savings required both locally and nationally, together with an anticipated overall poor Government settlement, will also have an influence on the finances of the Authority.

3.3Current charges for 2006/07 are shown on Appendix A. These were developed

following increases last year in the areas of 3 hour parking in Town Centre,

District Charges, Beaches shoulder season and Civic Centre CPZ.

3.4Current overall income from parking charges at the present time is slightly less than budget, following lower than expected income from Town Centre and District charges but greater income from beaches due to the exceptionally good summer weather.

4.Proposed Charges for 2007/08

4.1Options for increases for 2007/08 are shown as Appendix B. These have been developed in the light of:

  • Increases to charges implemented as part of last year’s budget strategy.
  • Commercial viability of Town Centre, District and Beach sectors upon which parking charges have an impact.
  • The continuing drive for simplification of the charges and structure.
  • Supporting Transportation strategies.

4.2Proposals put forward would raise approximately £180,619 with the £64,619 above the budget strategy being used within the Economy Portfolio towards supported bus services. This budget is currently facing a £202,000 in 2007/08 pressure due to measures put in place earlier this year to retain original levels of bus services following reductions announced by bus operators

4.3Preliminary consultation was undertaken with key stakeholders during last month, consisting of:

  • Chairman Tourism Panel
  • Town Centre Management
  • Dolphin Shopping Centre
  • Grosvenor
  • Head of Communications and Tourism
  • Head of Leisure Services

Their comments on these proposals are listed as Appendix C.

4.4Income next year is likely to be affected by:

  • Increased number of journeys to the Town Centre being made by bus, using the recently improved ‘More’ services and also over 60s taking advantage of free Concessionary Fare Travel.
  • Increased parking events due to Primark and Dolphin Quays Shopping Centre.
  • Additional season ticket income if Old Orchard residential development proceeds as planned.

4.5Members of TAG have been invited to this Group to participate in the consideration of these charges.

4.6New charges approved will be advertised in January 2007 to be in place for 1 April 2007.

STEPHEN L TITE

Acting Service Unit Head

Appendix A-Current Charges

Appendix B-Proposed revisions to car parking charges 2007/08

Appendix C-Comments from Stakeholders

Name and Telephone Number of Officer Contact:

Steve Tite (10202 262100)

LEOG091106T3A

1

APPENDIX B

Options for Car Parking Charges 07/08

Permit Charges

Item

/ Current Cost And no of events / Proposed change / Additional income generated
(after VAT) / Additional Income assuming a drop in use of 20% / Draft Recommendations
1. Annual Residents Beach Permits / £55
1495 / £65 / 12723 / 10179 / Increase cost of Annual Residents Beach permit. (currently equivalent to 5.5 peak days, will be equivalent to current 6.5 peak days)
2. Annual Non-Residents Beach Permits / £150
50 / £165 / 638 / 511 / Increase cost of Annual Non-Residents Beach permit. (currently equivalent to 15 peak days, will be equivalent to current 16.5 peak days)
3.Increase Town Centre season tickets / 5 day Quarterly
£180
177 / £190 / 1506 / 1205 / Increase by £10 to £190
Equivalent to £3.16 per day
5 Day Annual
£650
118 / £690 / 4017 / 3214 / Increase by £40 to £690
Equivalent to £2.87 per day
6/7 day Quarterly
£190
206 / £200 / 1753 / 1402 / Increase by £10 to £200
Equivalent to £2.78 per day
6/7 Day Annual
£700
42 / £740 / 1430 / 1144 / Increase by £40 to £740
Equivalent to £2.57 per day

Total £17,655


Car Parking Charges

Item

/ Current Cost And no of events / Proposed change / Additional income generated
(after VAT) / Additional Income assuming a drop in use due to increased cost of 20% / Recommendations
Bought forward from previous table / 17,655
4. Increase Sunday and Charges in All Town Centre car parks except for where Sunday charges already apply / Sun, 60p
113570 / Sun, £1 / 38,661 / 30,929 / Increase Sunday (8am-6pm) charge by 40p in all surface and MSCP’s where Sunday charge is currently 60p
5. Increase evening charge in all Town Centre Car Parks / Eve, 60p
103587 / Eve, 70p / 8,815 / 7,052 / Increase eve (6pm to 8am) charge to 70p in all surface and MSCP where evening charge to be in line with hourly rate (see item 6A)
6. Increase, 1, 2 and 3 hour charge in Town Centre Car Parks / A 1hr, 60p
754371
B2 hrs, £1.20
765772
C3 hrs, £2.00
315563 / 1hr, 70p
2 hrs, £1.30
3 hrs, £2.10 / 64,202
65,172
26,856 / 51,361
52,137
21,485 / Increase 1hr, 2hr and 3 hr tariffs in Town Centre car parks by 10p pr hour

Total Income £180,619

Note: Town Centre includes Harbourside Park where appropriate

APPENDIX C
Responses from Stakeholders

(Comments relate to original proposals, some of which have subsequently been amended as a result. This applies particularly to increases in beaches charges which have now been deleted)

Dolphin Centre Management: / Would prefer the increase in the 1hr tariff to the proposed increase in 2hr and 3hr tariffs.
Grosvenor: / Think it is important to ensure that shoppers car parks are geared to shoppers and parking for between 0 - 3 hours, should be at reasonable hourly rates to encourage people to come to Poole and shop. Average dwell times in the Centre are between 1 and 2 hours. This needs to be encouraged to be longer to allow time to shop at additional shops and spend more money in Poole rather than elsewhere.
The proposals do not cover charges in excess of 3 hours, and to stay 3 hours as opposed to 2 hours is an increased cost of 90p. More costly than 1 hour - not sure this encourages staying and spending. Parking longer than 3 hours is where the costs should be higher in shoppers car parks.
Not keen on the second proposal for 1 hour parking. This is effectively a 16% increase, and the first proposal increases costs for 2 and 3 hours beyond the level for 1 hour. Realise that the Council need to look at the charges, but are marginally concerned by the assumptions that there will be a drop in usage of 20%. Is it not better longer term for the Council to look at encouraging usage to improve revenue streams if this is possible and therefore the viability and vitality of the Poole Town Centre.
TC Manager: / Suggests promoting non-residents beach permits further.
Item 3 – TC season tickets – seems fine, although users might not be happy.
Items 4 and 5 Sunday and Evening charge: 80p is difficult in terms of change, better going for 90p or £1. Doesn’t think visitors coming to Poole would think these charges are extortionate.
Item 6 – Keeping 60p per hour does not encourage trading to Dolphin Centre – should be encouraging longer stay. Hence suggest 70p for 1 hour, £1.30 for 2 hours and £2.10 for 3 hours.
Tourism Manager / Comments not applicable as increases in beach charges for September/October no longer proposed.

PROPOSED SCALE OF CHARGES 2007/08

1.TOWN CENTRE MULTI STOREY CAR PARKS AND ARTS CENTRE

SHOPPING CENTRE, DOLPHIN SHOPPING CENTRE, SELDOWN, HIGH STREET SHOPS AND QUAY VISITORS CAR PARKS

2006/07 / 2007/08
Mon to Sun*
8am to 7pm
Up to 1 hour / 60p / 70p
Up to 2 hours / 120p / 130p
Up to 3 hours / 180p / 210p
Up to 4 hours / 300p / Unchanged
Over 4 hours up to 11 hours / 650p / Unchanged
Entry after 10am, 6 hrs to 11 hrs,
Quay Visitors,Sept-June applies for entry at any time / 500p / Unchanged
Sun*
8am-7pm / 60p / 70p
Mon to Sun
7pm to 8am / 60p / 70p

*Note: Reduced Sunday charge applies from 8am-7pm on Sundays in the Shopping Centre 1 and 2 Dolphin Shopping Centre, High Street Shops and Seldown Car Parks

2.TOWN CENTRE SURFACE CAR PARKS

CHAPEL LANE, SWIMMING POOL, SERPENTINE LANE, SUPERMARKET, WALKING FIELDS LANE**, NEW ORCHARD*** AND PROSPEROUS STREET*** CAR PARKS (and DEAR HAY LANE on-street)

Mon to Sun*
8am to 7pm
Maximum stay 4 hours / 2006/07 / 2007/08
Up to 30 mins / Unchanged / Unchanged
Up to 1 hour / 60p / 70p
Up to 2 hours / 120p / 130p
Up to 3 hours / 180p / 210p
Up to 4 hours / 300p / Unchanged
Mon to Sun
7pm to 8am* / 60p / 70p

* 70p charge applies from 8am-7pm on Sundays in the Swimming Pool, Serpentine Lane, Chapel Lane, Prosperous Street and New Orchard Car Parks

**Walking Fields Lane: Hotel guests only Mon-Sun 10am 6pm

*** Prosperous Street, New Orchard and Serpentine Lane 2hr Limit

  • 30min (30p) parking applies Serpentine Lane, Chapel Lane, Prosperous Street and New Orchard and Dear Hay Lane (on-street) Car Parks Only and only between 8am-7pm Mon- Sat

3.TOWN CENTRE ON STREET PARKING

KINGLAND ROAD, PARK LAKE ROAD AND PARKSTONE ROAD, SERPENTINE RD

Mon-Sat 8am-7pm
4 hour limit / 2006/07 / 2007/08
Up to 1 hour / 60p / 70p
Up to 2 hours / 120p / 130p
Up to 3 hours / 180p / 210p
Up to 4 hours / 300p / Unchanged

Dear Hay Lane has the same tariff as the Off street surface car parks

4.DISTRICT SURFACE CAR PARKS

Mon to Sat / 2006/07
8am-7pm / 2007/08
8am-7pm
Up to 2 hours / 30p / Unchanged
Up to 4 hours / 60p / Unchanged
Over 4 hours* and up to 12 hours / 100p / Unchanged
  • Commercial Road Car Park max. 4 hour stay
  • Ravine Road Car Park-On Sundays April - September weekday charges shall apply

5.CIVIC CENTRE PAY AND DISPLAY CAR PARKS

2006/07
Mon to Fri 8am to 5pm
Maximum stay 4 hours / 2007/08
Unchanged
Up to 1 Hr / 30p / Unchanged
Up to 2 hours / 50p / Unchanged
Up to 4 hours / 200p / Unchanged
All day / 500p / Unchanged


6.HARBOURSIDE PARK 1 & 2 CAR PARKS and ON Street Pay and Display

Mon to Sun / 2006/07
8am-7pm / 2007/08
8am-7pm
Up to 1 hour / 60p / 70p
Up to 2 hours / 120p / 130p
Up to 3 hours / 180p / 210p
Up to 4 hours / 300p / Unchanged
up to 11 hours / 650p / Unchanged
7pm to 8am (or midnight) / 60p / 70p
Winter- Harbourside 2 and on-street. (4hr limit)
Up to 2hrs
2-4Hrs
7pm to 8am (or midnight) / 60p
120p
60p / 70p
130p
70p
  1. Winter is Oct – Mar
  2. Summer is Apr-September
Harbourside1 & 2 are closed from Midnight-6am

Parking with Boat Launch

Includes harbour dues collected on behalf of Poole Harbour Commissioners

2006/07 / 2007/08
Before 2.30pm / 800p / Unchanged
After 2.30pm / 600p / Unchanged

Parking with boat launch season ticket

10am midnight Mon to Fri plus
6am midnight Sat & Sun / £85 / Unchanged


7.BEACH CAR PARKS

Charges April,May,June & September

2006/07
8am-7pm / 2007/08
Up to 1 hour / 80p / Unchanged
Up to 2 hours / 160p / Unchanged
Up to 4 hours / 320p / Unchanged
4hrs - 11 Hrs / 650p / Unchanged
7pm to 8am / 80p / Unchanged
WINTER Oct-Mar / 8am-7pm
Up to 2hrs / 50p / Unchanged
2 hrs – 11hrs / 100p / Unchanged
7pm-8am / 50p / Unchanged

Charges between July and August

2006/07
8am-7pm / 2007/08
8am-7pm
Up to 1 hour / 150p / Unchanged
Up to 2 hours / 300p / Unchanged
Up to 4 hours / 600p / Unchanged
4hrs – 11hrs / 1000p / Unchanged
7pm to 8am** / 150p / Unchanged

BEACH RD CAR PARK

Charges April - September ,Closed during winter

Every day 8am to 6pm / 2006/07
8am-7pm / 2007/08
Up to 1 hour / 80p / Unchanged
Up to 2 hours / 160p / Unchanged
Up to 4 hours / 320p / Unchanged
4hrs – 11 hrs / 500p / Unchanged
7pm to 8am / 80p / Unchanged

Coaches

Sandbanks Car Park only / 2006/07 / 2007/08
Up to 4 hours / £15 / Unchanged
Over 4 hours / £25 / Unchanged
Booking fee per coach (payable in advance) / £10 / Unchanged

8.FERRY WAY

2006/07 / 2007/08
1 hour limited waiting / 60p / Unchanged

9.EXCEPTIONS

a.Ravine Road District Car Park

On Sundays April - September weekday charges shall apply

b.Blue Badge Holders

Free parking for up to 3 hours at on-street car parks if the badge and clock are displayed .

  1. Tax Exempt Drivers

Drivers who are exempt from road fund license because of a disability( ie not cars older than 25years) can park without charge in on-street and surface car parks but are not exempt from any time limits that apply; a blue badge and timeclock must be displayed.

d.Multi-Storey Car Parks

2006/07 / 2007/08
Charge for exceeding grace period / Hourly rate / Unchanged
Charge for losing entry or exit ticket / 650p / Unchanged


  1. SEASON TICKETS

Town Centre Car Parks

/ 2006/07 / 2007/08
6 & 7 day / Annual / £700 / £740
Quarterly / £190 / £200
5 day / Annual / £650 / £690
Quarterly / £180 / £190

Scratch cards (5 hours parking)

per 50 cards.
Swimming Pool, Parkstone Rd, Serpentine Road / £85
Not Quay Visitors / Unchanged

Visitors Weekly Season Tickets

All pay and display car parks / £30
Beach Only / Unchanged

District Car Parks

/ Annual / £150 / Unchanged
Quarterly / £40 / Unchanged

Civic Centre CPZ- Parkstone Ward

/ Annual / £150 / Unchanged
Quarterly / £40 / Unchanged
Daily Charge* / £1.00/day / Unchanged

Civic Centre CPZ- Poole Town Ward

/ Annual / £150 / Unchanged
Quarterly / £40 / Unchanged
Daily Charge* / £1.00/day / Unchanged

County Gates CPZ

/ Annual / £150 / Unchanged
Quarterly / £40 / Unchanged
Daily Charge* / £1.00/day / Unchanged

*Minimum purchase

10 days

Beach Car Parks
/ 2006/07 / 2007/08
Poole Residents / £55 / £65
Non-Residents / £150 / £165