WEST DEVON PARKING STRATEGY GROUP

Minutes of meeting held on

Thursday 3rd September 2009, 5.30pm

KilworthyPark

Present:Jonathan Richards (JR)Chagford Business Assoc

Terry BleakmanChagford PC

Councillor Debo SellisDCC

Brian George (BG)DCC

Nigel EadieTavistock Chamber

Dave McDowellTavistock Chamber

Councillor John SellisTavistock TC

Simon Gregory (SG)Waitrose

Richard GriffithsWaitrose

Councillor Robert SampsonWDBC (Chair)

Cathy Aubertin (CA)WDBC

Helen DobbyWDBC

ApologiesStephen CarterHatherleigh Business Forum

Malcolm JacobsHatherleigh TC

Councillor John YoungWDBC

Action by
1. / Actions taken since previous meeting
  • Civilianised Parking Enforcement (CPE) was implemented in May 2008, with West Devon Borough Council acting as agents for Devon County Council in respect of on-street enforcement. We now have four Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) covering the borough.
  • Ring-Go, a cashless Pay & Display payment system, was implemented in January 2009, in response to this group’s wish to have a payment system which would allow visitors to the area to top up their parking without the need to return to their vehicle.
  • Pay & Display income dropped by approximately £40,000 in last financial year. This is a national trend, due to the recession, free bus passes and, particularly for West Devon, a poor summer which resulted in fewer visitors to the area.
  • Additional areas are about to the added to our Parking Order – Bedford Sawmills car park in Gulworthy, parking behind Godolphin House for Dolvin Road residents, KilworthyPark and QuantPark.
  • Following discussion about the problems we are experiencing in our coach parking area in Tavistock, it was agreed that the waiting limit will not be reduced, but that Cathy will contact DCC to try to resolve the issue of school coaches parking in the area all dayby alternative methods, and liaise with Councillor Debo Sellis on this matter.
/ CA
2 / Market Street car park, Okehampton
Waitrose were in attendance and requested a meeting with WDBC to put forward an alternative method of managing the car park in Market Street. It was noted that they have a scheme in operation in Christchurch which could be workable in West Devon. Waitrose to arrange a meeting with HD/ CA to discuss further.
3 / Coach parking in Tavistock
The group noted that the coach drop-off point, outside the Bedford Hotel, is not ideal, and would like this to be reviewed.
Following on from the discussion on coach parking above, this item will again be discussed by the Tavistock Parking Focus Group. / BG
CA
4 / Chagford
JR put forward the proposal that on-street charges be introduced in Chagford and that off-street charges are eliminated. There is obviously a complication in that income from these areas goes to two separate authorities (on-street to DCC and off-street to WDBC). However, more integrated working is anticipated in the future. BG will talk to other DCC colleagues about the likelihood of implementing on-street charges in Chagford and in other areas of West Devon. / BG
5 / Ring-Go
The group felt that not enough motorists are aware that a cashless payment system is available in West Devon. It was agreed that CA would provide the Chambers and Business Associations with information leaflets to be given to customers. WDBC to cost provision of window transfers for business windows to advertise scheme. / CA
CA
6 / Season tickets
CA to investigate whether it would be possible for season ticket holders to pay for their permits by monthly direct debit.
CA to also remind back-office staff that, where a season ticket is shared by more than two or three vehicles, it is permissible for it to be issued with no registration details on it. / CA
CA
7 / Reduced use of car parks
CA to supply the group with information on the reduced use of car parks in the last financial year. / CA
8 / Pay & Display charges for 20010/ 11 and 20011/ 12
CA presented five options to the group, each of which generated at least £29,300 additional income per annum, in accordance with the parking strategy. However, following a discussion, an option six was designed. This is the option that the group agreed should be recommended to Environment & Community Committee. / CA
9 / Season ticket charges
It was agreed by the group that season tickets currently represent extremely good value for customers, in comparison with the all day parking fee, and that the Tavistock Town Centre season ticket should be increased to a more realistic price. However, it was also agreed that season tickets for peripheral and rural car parks should be reduced in price. The charges agreed will also go forward to E&C Committee as a recommendation. / CA