Agenda item

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Prior to considering the following article Councillor Corall declared an interest in the subject matter by virtue of his son’s employment. Councillor Corall withdrew from the meeting.

With reference to article 18 of the minute of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 12 January 2010, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which advised on the proposed detail of the contractors permit scheme recommended by the Controlled Parking Working Group and based on a variation of the system operated by the City of Edinburgh Council.

A detailed background to the proposed introduction of contractors’ parking permits, which had originated from a motion by Councillor Donnelly, was provided wherein an overview of discussions to date by this Committee and the Controlled Parking Working Group.

In terms of the scheme operated by the City of Edinburgh, it was highlighted that there were a number of potential benefits for the adoption of this scheme, and that that the Working Group had supported the implementation of such a scheme in Aberdeen, with the exception of the following recommended deviations. Firstly, that the cost of £50 per month, rather than £100 was a more acceptable charge, particularly when considered in respect to smaller businesses and the self-employed. Secondly, that the requirement for a liveried vehicle was considered unduly restrictive as a significant number of tradesmen within the city did not use liveried vehicles. Finally, that the requirement to pay business rates to qualify for a permit could disadvantage the self employed. In light of the recommended deviations suggested by the Working Group, it was proposed that contractors’ permits in Aberdeen be non-vehicle specific and that businesses be able to transfer permits between vehicles as and when necessary. If approved the business would be placed on an approved register and would not be required to demonstrate their requirement on every application. Registered businesses would be able to purchase either monthly permits when required at the cost of £50 per month or annual permits at £550 per year.

The difficulties anticipated with the introduction of the proposed scheme were highlighted. Enforcement and administrative burdens were two of the main difficulties. In order to minimise the administrative burden it was recommended that contractors should prove their eligibility in relation to “qualifying trades” as detailed in the report.  The list was not exclusive and closely related trades might also be considered.

In addition, it was advised that whilst it was difficult to assess whether a company must operate directly from a vehicle on every occasion, it was proposed that the City Wardens could, at their discretion, request post dated evidence that a permit was being used appropriately. On such occasions companies must be able to demonstrate within 24 hours that their permits had been used for the purpose of operating within a parking zone. Failure to comply could result in permits being cancelled, and in the company being removed from the register permanently.

Finally the report advised that a consideration must be given to the operation times of the scheme and the entitlement given by the contractors’ permits. In terms of the operating period it was proposed that scheme allow contractors to use permits between 9.00am and 4.30pm, these being the hours when residential parking demand was at its lowest. Parking on waiting restrictions could not be justified, but permits would apply in both residential and pay and display bays.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         that the contractors permit scheme be implemented for a trial year on the following basis:-

            (a)       A monthly permit system;

(b)       Participating vehicles need not be liveried;

(c)        No requirement for that businesses should be paying business rates;

(d)       The trade must be one of, or related to one of, the trades in the list of qualifying trades detailed in the report, and must be able to demonstrate a requirement to operate from a vehicle;

(e)       Applicability in both the residential and pay and display bays, but only between 9.00am and 4.30pm; 

(f)         A review after one year of operation (and indications of abuse monitored); and

(ii)        the monthly charge of £50 a month and £5550 a year (per permit), and that this be referred to the Finance and Resources Committee for approval, on the basis of a years trial.