Cabinet received Minute OSC21/45 arising from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) held on 24 January 2022, that had considered the impact of the introduction of Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) on the use of Rother District Council (RDC) car parks during the previous 12 months.  The OSC had undertaken a thorough review through the establishment of the Off-Street Car Parks Task and Finish Group (OSCPT&FG) Chaired by Councillor Mrs Cook in preparation for the first annual review of CPE led by East Sussex County Council (ESCC), which closed on 30 September 2021.  Rother’s proposed formal response to ESCC to be considered as part of their annual review was attached at Appendix A to the report for Cabinet’s consideration.

Since April 2021 when last reported to Cabinet, the OSCPT&FG had met on four occasions to review evidence gathered from stakeholders on the impact of CPE and to discuss the use of car parks since the three ‘long stay’ car parks were in place and the chargeable hours were brought in line across the district. Further work focused on cost and level of parking permits, impact on sports club parking and the introduction of a payment machine in Manor Gardens car park.  

Councillor Mrs Cook addressed Cabinet and paid tribute to the officers and Members for their input into the work of the OSCPT&FG.

Cabinet acknowledged the work of the OSCPT&FG and considered the recommendations proposed. Cabinet agreed to an additional point to be added to Rother’s response to ESCC, namely to extend the double yellow lines from Camber Sands village along Camber Road on both sides to the A259 and that Lionel Road, Bexhill be added to the list of roads with inappropriate and displacement parking.  Cabinet were supportive of the OSC’s recommendations and the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Regeneration was particularly grateful for the work of the OSCPT&FG on the Wainwright Road car park.

RESOLVED: That:

1)         the formal response to East Sussex County Council regarding the impact of Civil Parking Enforcement across the district and to inform their annual review, as amended, be approved;

2)         car park charges be suspended in The Polegrove, Bexhill and Rye Salts for 12 months and then either reinstated or removed according to levels of use;

3)         on-street directional signage for long stay car parks be reviewed on a continual basis as business as usual; and

4)         recommendations on changes to car park charges remain within the annual ‘fees and charges’ report as part of the overall setting of the Council budget.

(Councillor Field declared a Personal Interest in this matter as a Member of East Sussex County Council and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct remained in the meeting during the consideration thereof).

(Councillor Maynard declared a Personal Interest in this matter as an Executive Member of East Sussex County Council and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct remained in the meeting during the consideration thereof).