Issue - meetings

[Electoral Divisions: All South Lakeland]

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure

Members received a report from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure which provided an update on the enforcement of on street and selected off street parking in the South Lakeland Local Committee area together with the Parking Services Annual Report 2021/22.

The Local Member for Lower Kentdale noted the report and asked if operations were back to pre-Covid levels.

The Parking Manager noted operations were back to full capacity.  A recruitment drive had taken place during the pandemic.  Parking Services would be on budget and in the new financial year.

The Local Member for Kendal Strickland and Fell assured members that income targets were not set to make budgets balance.

Dr Jarvis commented on abuse of the Blue Badge system and did Parking Services inform the Police when they encounter this.

The Parking Manager noted that the Blue Badge was a national scheme and noted that it was a criminal offence with a maximum fine of £1,000 and that he had not been involved in a prosecution.  He commented that the system required dramatic overhaul and that there were opportunities going forward.

The Local Member for Kendal Nether made a suggestion that if a resident had not renewed their parking permit on the first occasion and in a matter of days not months could a reminder be placed upon their windscreen rather than a fine.

The Parking Manager commented that it was possible and it was important that the scheme was administered with consent.  He outlined that the District Councils had local centres where the public could come in and that following Local Government Reorganisation there was room for improvement.

 The Local Member for Kendal Strickland and Fell noted that he had spoken with the Digital Team regarding reminders.

The Parking Manager commented that the permit scheme is free to the user but represents a cost for Cumbria County Council and any reminder scheme would have financial impacts.

The Chair thanked the Parking Manager and his team.