Agenda item

Savio DeCruz, Head of Transport, outlined a report to update the Committee  on the progress made regarding the recommendations of the Town Centre Car Parking Task & Finish Group.  Members were reminded that the Group’s recommendations were approved by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 3^rd March 2015, and discussed by Cabinet on 22^nd June 2015.

The Officer updated Members on the nine recommendations adopted by the Committee and discussed the current position on the outstanding items, i.e. numbers 1, 4, 5 and 8 as set out in the report:

·  That the current policy of zero parking be reviewed, with a future ratio to be specified subject to further research by Slough Borough Council (SBC) and justification.

  This policy would be taken forward as part of the review of the Local Plan

·  That land adoption be used to increase SBC’s control of parking (e.g. Kittiwake House, the area in Mill Street outside Foundry Court).

Recommendation approved by Cabinet

·  That the current limit of 5,000 parking spaces be reviewed, using the justification for it at the time of its creation and variations in the situation since this time (e.g. parking at Tesco’s, Crossrail) to reappraise the figure.

This would be taken forward as part of the review of the Local Plan

·  That the size of loading and unloading bays be reviewed to facilitate their use by larger vehicles.

  Recommendation approved by Cabinet

The Committee had a general discussion relating to the town centre car parks. In particular, it was noted that a mobile telephone app had been implemented, which had resulted in a £37,000 increase in funds to the Council for the financial year 2015/16. Responding to whether the Council would give consideration to the introduction of an advantage card for residents, officers confirmed that there were no plans to introduce a residents card at present.  

Resolved - That the update be noted.