Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2010/160

Contact: David Tole, Team Leader, Traffic Regulation Order Tel: (01865) 815942

Report by Head of Highways & Transport (CMDT4).

The Cabinet Member for Transport considered comments and objections received to a consultation on increasing the cost of residents’ parking permits in Oxford.

Councillor Turner stated that in 2006 when this scheme had originally been set up the intention had been for it to break even and asked why a 25% increase was now being sought.  He also asked why there had been no county representation at Area Committees and whether or not the Cabinet Member had considered reintroducing charges at Thornhill to offset this latest increase.

The Cabinet Member confirmed that charges in 2006 had been based on circumstances at that time.  However, changes made by the government in the period since then had affected the modelling.  He confirmed that he had not attended Area Committees because he had not wanted to fetter his discretion when considering these proposals and it had been up to officers to decide whether or not to attend if invited but he felt that they were already under a great deal of pressure.  In any event he felt that any public debate on these proposals should have taken place at this meeting when decisions would be taken.  With regard to Thornhill there was likely to be an announcement shortly.

RESOLVED: to approve the proposed changes to the cost of residents’ parking permits in all the permit parking zone orders for the City of Oxford (excluding those for Blackbird Leys West, Brake Hill, Frys Hill and Minchery Farm and Waterside) as advertised in the Oxfordshire County Council (City of Oxford and North Hinksey) (Variation of Charges for Residents’ Permits) Order 20**