Minutes:
Question
Woodley Town Centre Partnership are extremely concerned about the proposed increase in Car Park charges in Woodley Town Centre. The increases, for two and four hour stays together with the introduction of charges for Evenings and Sundays are of particular concern.
You will be aware that many businesses’ have had a very challenging period over the past two years and that the current cost of living crisis has meant that the hoped-for post covid bounce hasn’t materialised. These proposals will undoubtably put intolerable additional pressures on many businesses in Woodley Town Centre.
We are mindful of the financial challenges that Wokingham Borough Council are facing and understand the need to look at all areas to address these challenges effectively.
I would therefore like to know what non statutory services or projects have been reviewed with a view raising extra finance or reducing expenditure and why were they discounted instead of this proposal?
Answer
Thank you Brian for your question, which I have reflected on and will be proposing later in this meeting a revision that introduces a two-tier charging system, one for Wokingham Town car parks, and a lower rate for outside of Wokingham Town.
In addition, I have reviewed the evening charges and a change to the evening charges has been amended between the hours of 6pm to 10pm, resulting in a charge of £1 for up to 1 hour and £2 for more than 1 hour. However, I consider Sunday to be similar to a normal shopping day and the introduction of charges on these days is likely to mean that there will be a greater turn over within the car park bringing in additional footfall with more people spending money within our town centres. I believe this will be a boost to the local economy rather than long stays taking up spaces.
As you rightly point out we face unprecedented financial challenges as a result of the impact of Covid, Brexit/ a War in Europe and the general severe increase in costs on good and services. The identified increases for our car parks will only assist with a portion of this challenge. Our Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be presented with a whole host of cost reductions and other saving options that have been worked up over many months and these will be considered in October and November. These cover all Council services including statutory and non statutory. However, I must stress that even these options currently leave us at least £4m short of setting a balanced budget. This I hope illustrates the importance of the increased car parking proposals I have put forward.
Supplementary question
In the original proposal there was reference to car park usage increasing in 2023-34, what evidence do you have for that assertion?
Supplementary answer
Car parking has gradually increased post pandemic, we have that data from the number of car parking tickets sold. We can only forecast that there will be a gradual continued increase based on the information we currently have.