Decision details

To seek approval to commence the statutory procedure to consult on amendments to the Council’s current Civil Enforcement Off Street Parking Places Order 2020 which include charging for parking at Gedling Country Park and to permit electronic payments across the borough’s car parks.

THAT:
1.Approval is given to commence the statutory procedure to consult on amendments to the Gedling Borough Council (Civil Enforcement Off Street Parking Places) Order 2020 in order to:
1a. Introduce parking charges at Gedling Country Park
1b. Introduce a cashless payment option across Gedling Borough Council’s Car Parks.

The recommendations will enable the consultation to begin for a new Off-Street Parking Order taking into account the proposed changes.

An alternative option would be not to introduce parking charges at Gedling Country Park and continue to use existing revenue budget for ongoing maintenance of the current 250 car park spaces and other infrastructure at Gedling Country Park, but this would limit the extent of further developments and/or major repairs due to a need to borrow. For example, the upper car park is now experiencing major problems with potholes and resources are being switched from other repairs budgets to address the issue.
Another option would be to cease the grounds maintenance and infrastructure repairs at the park effectively letting it grow wild. The Council has an efficiency target of £3,558,900 to deliver (of which £2,225,200 is unidentified at the moment - budget report to Council dated 6 March 2024), and this option would save approximately £300,000
For the purpose of the consultation a parking charge of £2 at Gedling Country Park is proposed. A higher charge could be consulted on however £2 is considered competitive with other Country Parks in the Nottinghamshire area and would not deter people from using the park.
An alternative option would also be not to introduce the pay by app cashless option and instead install new card readers on all Pay and Display machines. This option is significantly more expensive in comparison and would still incur maintenance costs and cash collection costs.