Both the strategy and charges (including pricing, locations and hours of operation) are detailed in a report published today on the North Somerset Council website.
This follows a period of informal consultation and consideration of technical and expert advice. The council’s financial emergency has also played a key role in shaping the proposals set out in the Executive paper.
Councillor Mark Canniford, Executive Member for Spatial Planning, Placemaking and the Economy, said: “We were already facing significant financial pressures when we agreed to go to consultation on parking proposals in February 2024. Since then, these pressures have only worsened and the cost of providing our services will be as much as £23.5 million more than we have by 31 March 2025.
“This is a difficult situation created by year-on-year failure of national government to properly fund council services and, in particular, the growing demand and cost of providing care for children and adults. Though North Somerset is not alone in the shadow of this national crisis, we cannot underestimate our current circumstances nor allow our financial pressures to grow.
“Without sign of incoming government support, it instead comes down to us to make difficult decisions and take urgent action. This is vital if we are to balance our books and safeguard essential council services.
“Should we agree to adopt the Parking Management Strategy and - like neighbouring councils - choose to introduce charges in a small number of locations, we can have parking services that are better managed, maintained and self-funding. This allows us to deliver an improved parking service, whilst freeing up crucial funds that can go back into the council’s overall budget.
“Though we have had to balance consultation feedback with new financial pressures, responses we received have helped shape hours of operation, pricing and some of the parking charge locations. Acting on the suggestion of Town & Parish Councils, we have also set out possible options for entering into commercial leases, allowing other organisations to manage off-street car parks themselves.”
The Parking Management Strategy and parking charge proposals will be debated by the Executive on Wednesday 17 October. Should they be agreed and progressed, the details would be subject to a further period of consultation through the Traffic Regulation Order process.