Parking permit proposals to be discussed by Cabinet

Residents will get the opportunity to have their say on the Council’s parking permit proposals, if senior councillors give it the go-ahead.

A report is being discussed at the next Cabinet meeting (28 March) which lays out the issues faced by the current parking permit scheme, including the challenges of enforcing it. It shows that the current set up does not meet the demand for parking spaces and as a result, the scheme is often abused, causing problems for residents and businesses.

The report also highlights that Government cuts to the Council’s budget means that the local authority no longer has the resources to subsidise the scheme, and needs to implement charges to continue delivering the service.

The Council issues resident, visitor and business permits for use in around 100 residential parking permit scheme areas across the district.

Cllr Matthew Morley, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways said: “The parking permit process has been in operation for many years and urgently needs revising because it does not meet the needs of our residents or businesses.

 “£144m has already been wiped off our budget by Government cuts and we are doing everything we can to protect front line services. This means that we no longer have to resources to manage the parking permit scheme, even at the current level of service.

 “A chargeable service will enable us to improve the scheme, to ensure it is fit for purpose, as well as providing enhanced patrols and greater enforcement – a move that will reduce some of the parking issues many residents experience.”

Nationally, free residential parking permits are not standard practice. Amongst neighbouring authorities Calderdale, Kirklees, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster all administer charges ranging from £15 to £25 per year for the first vehicle in the household.

If Cabinet agree the recommendation in the report, the consultation on the proposals is expected to be launched on the Council’s website in April.