19 01 2004

It was reported that a deputation had been received on Foreshore Car Parks Fees and Charges.

 

Consideration was given to a report by the Deputy Chief Executive and Borough Treasurer and a supplementary report regarding foreshore car park fees and charges (copies of which are affixed in the Minute Book as Appendices "A" and "B").

 

In accordance with Standing Orders, Mrs Jane Windsor was permitted to address the Board regarding foreshore car park fees and charges and made a number of points, including the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chairman thanked Mrs Windsor for her comments.

 

Members expressed the view that there was a role for the Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee to monitor foreshore car park fees and charges and to make recommendations as necessary.

 

Members considered a number of options, as set out in the report, for:

 

 

 

 

Last year £79,000 had been raised in car parking charges but costs had amounted to £114,720 and the view was expressed that there was a need to raise sufficient income.

 

Members debated the options and held the view that:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             

Members then considered the main body of the report, which included the revised 2003/04 and estimated 2004/05 budgets together with proposed fees and charges for 2004/05 and  draft capital programme for 2003/04 to 2009/10.

 

Members were advised that the revised budget for 2003/04 was £7,530,530, which represented a reduction of £263,750 (3%) on the original budget of £7,794,280.

 

Members were advised that the proposed budget for 2004/05 was £7,765,340, a reduction of £28,940 (0.4%) on the original budget 2003/04 of £7,794,280 and an in crease of £234,810 (3.1%) on the revised budget for 2003/04 of £7,530,530

 

Consideration was given to the proposed increases in fees and charges for 2004/05 and specific attention was drawn to cemeteries, following a comparison exercise with neighbouring local authorities and the Market, where different charges on Tuesdays and Saturdays were proposed following discussions with the operator.

 

The view was expressed that the Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee should examine the Council's concessionary travel policy and make any necessary recommendations.

 

Members were advised that this budget was the minimum that would enable the Board to provide its services and that all budgets were subject to a risk assessment. Any reductions in the budget would lead to a further risk assessment where officers would be asked how the reduction would affect services.

 

Members agreed to the recommendations set out in the main report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Borough Treasurer.

 

RESOLVED: That the Policy and Organisation Board be requested to approve:

 

(a)   the Revenue Budget (revised 2003/04 and estimate 2004/05);

 

(b)   the Capital Programme 2003/04 to 2009/10;

 

(c)   the fees and charges for 2004/05 as set out in the main report, subject

to (d) to (g) below;

 

(d)   that the period of charging in the foreshore car parks be high season (April to September) only for seven days a week with no low season charges;

 

(e)   that charges of £13.00 for Gosport resident permits and £60.00 for non-Gosport resident permits be made;

 

(f)    that Pay and Display charges for cars be £0.50 per hour;

 

(g)    that Pay and Display charges for coaches be £3.00 per hour;

 

(h)    that Pay and Display charges for trailers be £0.50 per hour;

 

(i)     that no charges be applied to at Elmore Car Park, Lee-on-the –Solent; and

 

(j)     that charges continue to be applied at Beach Road Car Park only on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

 

RESOLVED:  That under Section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the under-mentioned item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 A of the Act.

 

By reason of special circumstances, the Chairman determined that this item be considered at this meeting notwithstanding the fact that the item had not been available for public inspection in accordance with the provisions of Section 100B(4)(a) of the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985. 

 

The special circumstances were created by the urgent need to award the contract in time to achieve a start date of 18 March 2004.

 

Consideration was given to an exempt report of the Leisure and Amenities Manager recommending the award of the contract for Grounds Maintenance and Other Cleansing Services to a named contractor for the period 18 March 2004 to 31 March 2009.

 

RESOLVED: That the contract for Grounds Maintenance and Other Cleansing Services for the period 18 March 2004 to 31 March 2009 be awarded as recommended in the report of the Leisure and Amenities Manager.