Agenda item

The chair to advise on any deputations or petitions received.

AGREED:

That the meeting hear a deputation submitted by residents of Holmdene Avenue regarding the proposed increase in controlled parking zone (CPZ) charges.

The spokesperson for the deputation explained that residents were concerned that Southwark Council was considering increasing the parking fees in Holmdene Avenue for the following year. Parking fees had only been introduced there in January 2011, and it was unfair that the council was proposing an increase already. Furthermore, the council had not sought the views of residents on this proposal. The undersigned residents strongly objected to this proposal and urged Councillor Barrie Hargrove, the cabinet member responsible, to reconsider. They also sought an assurance that they would be consulted and their views would be given due weight before any changes were made to the parking fees in Holmdene Avenue.

Councillors discussed the council’s proposed increases in parking charges and the two options which had been consulted on. One of them comprised a flat increase in parking charges for all residents permits, the other proposal was to introduce charges based on vehicle emissions. The chair commented that he felt the CO2 based system of charges was unfair to people on low incomes with old cars, and did not address the fact that some areas in Dulwich Community Council used off-street parking which was free. Councillors reminded residents that putting in place and policing CPZs cost money, and the parking charges were part of paying for them.

ACTION: Thechair to write to Councillor Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling, to support the deputation, and to ask for a response on the impact of increased charges on residents who cannot afford a new car, and the insufficient nature of the consultation on the increase.

The meeting heard calls for controlled parking zones to be abolished and for free parking to be introduced. Councillors said that the council sometimes gave conflicting environmental messages. Arguments were heard that in order to deter commuters from parking in the area, parking regulations only needed to be enforced 1 hour a day, and savings could be made by reducing the number of wardens. This should be remembered when the parking contract was up for renewal.