In proposing the recommendation, Councillor Angela Harrison said that the proposal for a short-term car parking concession was to give additional time necessary whilst queuing to use a shop during the current pandemic.  Councillor Nicholas Hampshire seconded the recommendation and reserved his right to speak.

A Member did not support the proposal as he was in favour of building a greener aspect to the new normal, rather than encouraging the use of vehicles.  He added that the £109k estimated costs offered poor value, it could not be implemented in the multi-storey car park or used efficiently via the Ringo app, it would not support the economic recovery and it worked against the priorities of the administration.

In response, the Leader said that residents were still reluctant to shop during the current pandemic and this was a modest, affordable proposal.  He said that it would not increase footfall, but could encourage visitors to stay longer and visit cafes or other shops, and was a first step in trying to assist the local economy.

In the debate that following, points were raised including:

·        A quick solution was needed;

·        free parking might not be worthwhile but the country was in unusual times, and the proposals supported local businesses;

·        this was not the right solution but a step in the right direction;

·        the proposal did not go far enough to address the recent road closures which were not helping the towns’ businesses;

·        would support as a temporary mitigation measure;

·        should not be encouraging the use of cars;

·        should have consulted local businesses and people;

·        was important that SBC helped town centre businesses;

·        clarified that the 10mins extension time for parking was still included;

·        encouraged people back into the High Street;

·        suggested fencing every other bay in the High Street so that free bays could still be used safely;

·        could not support due to impact on environment versus lack of impact in supporting businesses;

·        free parking was not the answer, the safety of shoppers in town centres was the most important aspect; and

·        a good solution to an ill-thought out policy to close the High Street to traffic.

Councillor Lloyd Bowen moved that the recommendation be put to the vote. This was seconded by the Deputy Leader.  On being put to the vote, the motion was agreed.

Councillor Nicholas Hampshire, as seconder who had reserved his right to speak,thanked the administration for considering his idea of parking concessions to assist in the recovery response.  He said that the proposal was a good compromise on the original proposals of 30 minutes free parking in a changed shopping environment, and could be implemented quickly without upfront costs to the Council.  He added that the proposal showed that SBC were taking action to kick-start shopping in the town centres.

Councillor Angela Harrison, in her right to reply as proposer, reiterated that the proposal was not about increasing footfall but about giving extra time to those that now had to queue.  She said there was little opportunity to consult as the situation evolved but the High Street needed to be made safer for residents and she hoped that, if agreed, the proposal would encourage more people to shop.

Resolved:

(1)  That a short-term car parking concession as part of the Council’s response to Covid 19, specifically a free additional 30 minutes on all parking tickets purchased from 18 July to 30 September 2020, be agreed.