Issue - meetings

That:

1)            the temporary provision of free parking between 15:00 hrs and 08:00 hrs until the end of January 2018 at all Council owned car parks located within Wokingham Town Centre be approved;

2)        a supplementary estimate for £49,000 to cover the cost of lost income during this period and signage be approved.

The Executive considered a report relating to a proposal to provide free parking between 3pm and 8am at all Council owned car parks located within Wokingham Town Centre until the end of January 2018.

Members were informed by the Executive Member for Highways and Transport that the unavoidable disruption caused by the Wokingham town centre improvements works had led to a decline in footfall and consequently difficult trading conditions for the businesses in the town.  The usage of Council car parks had been monitored to ensure that the town continued to attract visitors.  The figures for August this year compared to last year showed an increase of 18% in the number of tickets sold.  However the September figures had shown a fall of around 10%.

Councillor Bowring advised that in order to address this issue it was proposed to have a period each day from 3pm to 8am the following morning when parking in Council owned car parks in Wokingham Town would be free and this would cover November to January 2018; the most important trading period of the year.  There would be a consequent loss of revenue from car parking charges which was estimated to be £48k and it would cost £1k to change the signage in the car parks; which required a supplementary estimate to be approved.

The Leader of Council stated it was hoped that this proposal would mitigate some of the issues raised as a result of the Market Place refurbishments and other regeneration works in and around the town.  This solution was proposed in order to help businesses and stop commuters blocking up spaces which, if free parking was provided all day, would surely happen.  Councillor Haitham Taylor advised that the meeting with stakeholders held last night had been really positive and a number of solutions had come forward which the Council would be considering.

RESOLVED that:

1)            the temporary provision of free parking between 15:00 hrs and 08:00 hrs until the end of January 2018 at all Council owned car parks located within Wokingham Town Centre be approved;

2)        a supplementary estimate for £49,000 to cover the cost of lost income during this period and signage be approved.