21 Nov 2024
Harpenden town councillors are to vote on their next steps in the fight against the district council’s bid to charge for on-street car parking – including the possibility of legal action.
Although SADC recently announced minor changes to the proposals, the town council believes these do not fundamentally change the potential impact on the community.
Retailers, residents and local politicians have condemned plans to scrap free on-street car parking in Harpenden and introduce fees to balance the district council’s budget.
In a report to councillors revealed this week, town clerk Carl Cheevers said it was now appropriate for them to consider whether to instigate relevant legal processes with a view of instigating a Judicial Review.
He also highlighted how financial income appeared to be the primary driver in making the changes following recent comments by SADC, but this was not made clear from the outset or appropriately reflected in the public consultation.
The town clerk stressed: “Whilst it has been said at various times that other options were considered prior to the development of the proposals, we have not at any time seen detailed evidence of what other options were scoped and analysed prior to developing the original proposals.
“The consultation and decision report provides very limited commentary against the alternative options put forward during the consultation. This does not give confidence or provide evidence that there has been an appropriate level of scoping on alternatives.”
He revealed there was a number of errors and inconsistencies with the data SADC was relying upon to develop the proposals.
“We already know that parking enforcement in Harpenden is poor, leading to much illegal parking. Our view remains the same – that we do not need a change in parking policies in order to instigate improvements to parking enforcement. A more effective approach to enforcement of the existing parking policies would likely lead to the delivery of many of the benefits set out in the Statement of Reasons [the document outlining the rationale/reason behind any modifications to existing parking regulations]. If finances are not the driver as set out in the SoR then this action should be taken first.
He set out a draft resolution for consideration by town councillors.
The council resolves to:
- Strongly object to the modified proposals given the significant concerns regarding the impact on local businesses and the wider community.
- Strongly object to the introduction of any paid parking in the High Street.
- Suggest SADC deliver their four needs set out in the SoR through a) an alternative proposal of allowing one hour free parking, with no return within one hour, and no option to remain longer than one hour and b) through a more effective approach to enforcement.
Councillors will vote on the resolution at their next meeting on Monday night.
Meanwhile, Harpenden town councillor Richard Scott has asked whether HTC can take over running of town car parking from SADC.
In a question to Thursday’s meeting of the strategy and resources committee, he said: “St Albans district council has stated that it is currently unable to provide parking services to Harpenden without incurring losses, therefore requiring the imposition of charges for the parking bays in and around Harpenden High Street.
“SADC will have noted that this proposal has been overwhelmingly rejected by the community of Harpenden. Specifically:
1. Over 7,000 residents have signed a petition objecting to these charges.
2. 95% of the 1,199 responses to the initial consultation were opposed to the charges.
3. Harpenden Town Council is on record as opposing these charges.
4. As is the Harpenden Society.
“The complication therefore for SADC, in particular the 12 district councillors elected to represent Harpenden, is that this proposal evidently does not have the consent of the community of Harpenden.
“If SADC are correct in stating that they are currently unable to provide these services without covering their costs, would SADC be prepared to open discussions with Harpenden Town Council to transfer these loss-making parking services, with their related assets and responsibilities, to Harpenden Town Council? And if not, why not?”
