Agenda item

To receive a presentation from officers on the above.

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Officers presented the update to the Panel.  A copy of the presentation is attached.  The Panel were reminded that this was a high level overview, and being presented to the Panel early for their input into the Strategy.  The Strategy would come back to the Panel for consideration in due course.

The Assistant Director highlighted that the Corporate Performance Panel had flagged this as part of their Performance Monitoring and explained that there was a considerable amount of work involved, hence the delay.

The Chair thanked officers for the presentation and for bringing proposal early to the Panel so that they could help shape Strategy.  The Chair invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

Councillor Colwell commented that priority should be given to increasing EV charging provision and to improving and expanding the cycle path network.

The Chair commented that consideration needed to be given to EV if Multi Storey Car Parks were being considered as they were heavier than standard vehicles.

Councillor Bubb commented that parking bays needed to be widened.

Councillor Osborne asked that consideration be given to what the ambition of the town centre was and commented he was pleased to see solar panels being considered, especially with the increase in EVs.

Councillor Lintern asked that consideration be given to the elderly population and those that needed easy close access to facilities.

Councillor Long addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34 and commented that people should have the right to choose their method of transport.  Offers needed to be attractive as most people favoured town centre parking as it was convenient.  He queried the increase in EV charging provision as most people would charge their vehicles at home where it was cheaper.

Councillor Colwell commented that not all users had the ability to charge EV’s at home, so provision was important.  He commented that multi storey car parks should be explored on existing surface car parks.  Councillor Colwell also stated that there shouldn’t be car parking on the Tuesday Market Place as it was a historic square.

Councillor Lintern referred to car parking charges and commented that it was difficult to compare to other areas as it was all about the offer available and income streams of users.

Councillor Ratcliffe commented that she was against adding more surface car parks in the town.  She commented that interactive signage for users should be increased so that the best use of existing spaces could be made.  She suggested that additional provision could be used for events rather than a permanent increase in capacity.

The Chair commented that the information available on the website could be improved.

Councillor Long addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34 and commented that consideration should be given to the provision of disabled car parking bays and the charges imposed on blue badge holders and commented that in some areas they could park for free.

In response to a question from Councillor Colwell, the Portfolio Holder, Councillor Ring commented that the Chapel Street Car Park was owned by the Borough Council.  Officers explained that as part of the Heritage Action Zone Programme Chapel Street had been taken forward for potential residential development and could be an area for development in the future.

The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Ring, thanked officers for the presentation and the Panel for their comments.  He referred to the data regarding ticket sales and that the most popular tickets were 20 minute and one hour stays, meaning work should be done to encourage longer stays.  He also commented that commuters needed to be considered.  Councillor Ring referred to the King’s Lynn Masterplan which would be developed and how the Car Parking Strategy needed to link in to this and the Economic Strategy.  He commented that out of town parking could be considered with a park and ride facility available, which could be utilised by commuters.  Work also needed to be carried out to encourage people to live in the town centre.  Councillor Ring agreed with comments made about increasing EV charging provision and the use of the Tuesday Market Place. 

The Chair supported the comments made about increasing the width of car parking bays and solar panel provision.  He also asked that consideration be given to overnight parking, including campervan parking, and coach parking provision.  He supported the investigation of park and ride provision.

It was suggested that the Panel move into closed session at the end of the meeting so that they could discuss potential sites.

RESOLVED: The update was noted and the comments of the Panel would be taken into consideration as appropriate.