The Overview & Scrutiny - Environment & Performance Committee met to discuss a review of car parking in Boston, a sub-regional leisure facilities operator contract, and a proposed Public Spaces Protection Order relating to bird feeding. The committee reviewed public feedback and provided input on the PSPO, and also reviewed and supported recommendations regarding car parking.

Car Parking Review

The committee considered the findings of the Car Parking Member Working Group (MWG), which was convened to address concerns about declining car parking income across the council's 22 car parking sites. The group also looked at the condition of the sites, and the signage directing people to them.

The MWG's recommendations, which the Environment and Performance Committee supported, included:

1. Focusing a green strategy on its car parks and continuing to support volunteer time being invested in its sites with refuse collection, planting, and maintenance.
2. Setting aside resources to reline the Cattle Market car park to offer larger parking spaces. The trial should be monitored to inform whether similar changes can and should be made to other council car parks.
3. Undertaking a signage review with particular reference to routing visitors to its own car parks and pricing structures.
4. Undertaking a parking fees and charges review, including exploring the introduction of shopper and commuter passes that can all be purchased via the MiPermit app and the council’s new parking machines.
5. That the Portfolio Holder both support and actively promote the recommendations of the working group.

The recommendations are intended to improve access to and use of the council’s car parking provision within the town and to secure greater take up of the sites by both residents and visitors.

The MWG considered a range of options, including free parking, a single charging option for all car parks, LED availability signs, seating, and height barriers, but chose not to recommend them. Councillor Stuart Evans provided a draft proposal to the group, which was well received and taken into full account when formulating the groups final recommendations.

Sub-Regional Leisure Facilities Operator Contract

The committee reviewed the final report from the Joint Scrutiny Task & Finish Group, which examined the scope and proposed arrangements for a Sub-Regional Leisure Facilities Operator Contract. The task group was formed with members from Boston Borough Council, South Holland District Council, and East Lindsey District Council.

The key lines of enquiry for the Task Group were:

1. Understanding of the proposed timeline for council approval and subsequent procurement process;
2. Review of the ‘scope’ of the Leisure Facilities offer for the Sub-Region;
3. Consideration of relevant documents prior to reports being taken through each council’s relevant sovereign committee process.

The Task Group's report included several recommendations:

1. To ensure member engagement and awareness throughout the process at appropriate intervals;
2. To ensure that relevant officers and councillors have access to sufficient financial information when relevant;
3. To ensure Portfolio Holders and Cabinets/Executive are briefed on the progress of the procurement process so that they are properly informed in advance of any decisions that need to be made as part of the process;
4. That the outcome of the procurement process be discussed at a meeting for all councillors, prior to papers being taken to Executive / Cabinet at each council for a decision.

The committee agreed to note the report and its recommendations.

Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) - Bird Feeding Controls

The committee considered a report proposing an enforcement approach to control the indiscriminate feeding of wild birds by the public in designated areas of Boston Town Centre.

The report noted concerns that excessive bird feeding is leading to damage and fouling of the public realm, buildings, and heritage sites, as well as posing health risks due to contact with bird faeces.

A public consultation was conducted between 1 May and 31 July 2024, with 222 responses received. The consultation found that:

• 77% of respondents were concerned about the unsightly mess
• 65% were concerned about the health hazard
• 63% were concerned about damage to buildings
• 62% were concerned that it encouraged vermin
• 82% considered there was a problem in and around the Stump, Market Place, Narrow Bargate and War Memorial with bird feeding
• 86% would support the council taking enforcement action under a PSPO against those that persistently and excessively fed birds in public spaces

The proposed PSPO would allow environmental crime enforcement officers to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) of £100 to those who ignore the prohibition on feeding birds in the designated area. Proactive enforcement will not commence until 1 January 2025, to allow for a public awareness campaign.

The committee was invited to consider the feedback from the public consultation and provide their own feedback to assist Cabinet in determining whether to introduce the PSPO.