Agenda item

E.10/23                 

Members considered a report which sought approval for a series of amendments to the South Hams District Council (Off-Street Parking Places)(Variation No.1) Order 2022.

In the ensuing debate, reference was made to:

(a)      the wish of the lead Member to PROPOSE an additional recommendation as follows:

‘3. That the Off Street Parking Order be subject to further reviews in six and twelve months’ time.’

This additional recommendation was subsequently SECONDED and therefore became part of the substantive motion;

(b)   the views of the local Ward Members.  The local Ward Members expressed a number of concerns over the proposals that were summarised as follows:

-        the proposed eight free one hour parking bays were insufficient and should be increased to 20;

-        a vehicle registration approach to parking should be implemented;

-        the assumptions applied did not stand up to scrutiny and contained inconsistencies;

-        there was significant seasonal variations across the car parks in the vicinity; and

-        the risk of appointments overrunning and the consequent anxiety placed on patients was unfair.

(c)      an amendment to the motion was PROPOSED and SECONDED as follows:

‘That sixteen free one hour only parking bays be introduced within the car park.’

In support of the amendment, some Members felt that this would be a good example of the Executive listening to the consultation responses received and the concerns expressed by the local Ward Members.  Other Members stated their opposition to the amendment for three main reasons:

-     the amendment had not been properly costed and it was not good practice to take such decisions without the financial implications being fully understood;

-     the Health Hub had been developed at great cost to the Council and it was therefore appropriate for the local authority to attempt to recoup some of its financial outlay on the project; and

-     reviews were proposed to be carried out in six and twelve months’ time and the Executive would be in a more informed position at those points to amend the Order (if deemed appropriate).

When put to the vote, the amendment was declared (by virtue of the Chairman’s Casting Vote) LOST.

(NOTE. In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 17.7 (Right to Require Individual Vote to be Recorded), Cllr N Hopwood asked that her vote to abstain on the amendment be formally recorded).

It was then:

RESOLVED

1.     That the following amendments to the South Hams District Council (Off-Street Parking Places)(Variation No.1) Order 2022, be approved-:

i.       a new car park be named as Dartmouth Health Hub Car Park and incorporated into the Order

ii.      pay and display charges at the Dartmouth Health Hub Car Park be introduced in accordance with Appendix A of the presented report

iii.     the pay & display charges in Dartmouth Park & Ride Car Park be amended in accordance with Appendix B of the presented report

iv.     a Dartmouth Health Hub Car Park Reserved Parking Permit be introduced for Health Hub staff use only

v.      eight free one hour only parking bays be introduced within the car park

2.     That the variation to the Off Street Parking Order be approved to reflect amended recommendations as above for introduction as soon as the order is complete; and

3.      That the Off Street Parking Order be subject to further reviews in six and twelve months’ time.