Purpose

To approve a suite of proposals that establish
a consistent approach to fees and charges and ensure they remain
aligned with those of other authorities, supporting the Council in
the effective delivery of key services.

Decision

Decision
 
Cabinet Agreed:
 
1.1.         
To apply parking charges to all motor vehicles in Council car
parks, as set out within section 5.4, ensuring a consistent
approach across all chargeable parking bays;
 
1.2.         
To remove cash payments once the On Street payment system upgrades
are complete, as set out within section 5.7, improving customer
experience through greater payment choice, ensuring consistency
across all parking locations, and reducing CO2 emissions linked to cash collection and processing.
 
Agreed to implement the following changes not
less than 21 days following publication of these changes through a
Notice of Variation:
 
2.1.         
Increase on-street parking charges, as set out in section 5.2 and
Appendix D, to align more closely with other councils and meet
rising service delivery costs;

 
2.2.         
Increase off-street parking fees, as set out in section 5.4 and
Appendix E, to ensure charges remain comparable with other councils
and support rising service costs;
 
2.3.         
Increase parking permit fees, as set out in sections 5.8 and
Appendix F, with the exception of the proposed escalating charges
in section 5.9, to meet the rising costs of maintaining and
operating parking schemes across the city.
 
Agreed to undertake statutory consultation on
the following proposals:
 
3.1.         
Introduce coastal car park charges at Jennycliff, Mountbatten and Strand Street, as set
out within section 5.5 and Appendix C, to ensure a more consistent
approach while maintaining support for short-stay visitors.

 
3.2.         
Introduce charges for Blue Badge holders on the Hoe Promenade, as
set out within section 5.6 and Appendix E, to ensure a fair and
consistent charging approach across all car parks.

 
Alternative options
considered and rejected
Not increase fees and charges. The proposals
have been considered fully by officers considering benchmarking and
the need to achieve cost recovery and maintain levels of income
critical to the delivery of key services. Fees are proposed at the
level considered appropriate in light of this and the substantial
shortfall in resources needed to set a balanced budget for 2026/27.
The option of setting no increase has been rejected on the basis it
would not achieve cost recovery, and/or may affect the viability of
services.