Agenda item

The Director of Planning, Development and Transportation submits a report to feedback to the EDTCE Scrutiny Committee on the impact of increase to on-street and off-street parking charges implemented on 2^nd June 2025. This was an action arising from the Committee meeting held on 23^rd April 2025 which requested “for a report to be brought to Commission, to include car park usage since the increased charges”.

The Director of Planning, Development and Transportation submitted a report to feedback to the EDTCE Scrutiny Committee on the impact of increase to on street and off-street parking charges implemented on 2nd June 2025.

The City Mayor introduced the item noting that the news of the NCP car park closures had been unexpected. Leicester City Centre had a surplus of parking provision and usage of NCP car parks fluctuated over time but tended to be low. The situation was further complicated by the separation of ownership and operational responsibilities. Discussions were taking place with the relevant parties.

A verbal addendum was given on issues surrounding the NCP car parks.

Non-EDTCE members attended the meeting for the discussion of the verbal addendum.

Key points included:

• Administrators had informed the Council of the closures at short notice. Discussions took place, stakeholders were consulted and there was an effort to raise public awareness through the media.
• Additional availability for disabled parking was identified.
• Promotional activity was aimed at increasing awareness of public transport, alternative car parking sites, and the extended park and ride opening hours. 
• Work was ongoing with owners, agents and the police to negate criminal activity at the closed NCP sites.
• Updates would continue to come as the matter progressed.

It was noted that questions had been submitted prior to the meeting, and it was agreed that some data could be given after the meeting. Questions and answers were as follows:

A progress breakdown for each of the car parks was requested.

It was explained that there were ongoing discussions with owners and operators. It was a commercially sensitive environment.

Possible timescales were requested.

It was suggested that for some of the carparks, outcomes could come within the following weeks.

An enquiry was made about the likelihood of contractual delays.

The Director of Planning, Development and Transportation replied that he was not party to the contractual discussions between the operators, agents and owners.

It was asked whether there were there any patterns and were officers monitoring updates?

It was explained that this was a national closure programme, and the Council was following the evolving situation.

It was enquired as to whether there was there was awareness surrounding potential closures of further NCP sites.

It was noted that The Council was not aware of other likely closures at this stage.

In response to further member discussion and questions, the following was noted:

• The closures of NCP car parks were part of a wider national issue.
• The Rutland Street closure was likely to have the most significant impact on the cultural quarter. There was a good standard of parking available at Dover Street and the Haymarket carpark. Communications were ongoing to highlight the benefits of parking at the two. So far, impact on business had not been seen.
• Plans were being developed on a new traffic regulation within the Cultural Quarter, near the Curve Theatre and there was also work to create more disabled parking.
• An independent operator managed the Park and Ride. Extending services for Birstall and Meynell’s Gorse would require re-routing, further investment and long-term planning.
• The Planning Enforcement Team would be putting actions into place to prevent the creation of unauthorised car parks on the empty sites.
• Regarding a question about other organisations taking over the NCP car parks, it was noted that potential opportunities might arise; however, the situation remained uncertain and would be kept under review until it had stabilised.
• There had not been any noted change in council parking income since the NCP closures.
• The were 5 NCP owners involved in the current closures. Regular contact had been established. 
• Members felt it would be beneficial to consider regeneration land for parking next to the Phoenix Cinema and Arts Centre, if this could be restricted to prevent commuter parking.
• Regarding security at council owned carparks, there was investment in CCTV, onsite security and good lighting. Street lighting in the city centre was set at maximum levels. There was a hotspot police team in place, with six extra officers. Two further neighbourhood city centre police officers had been engaged. Under Project Vigilant, undercover police officers were working at night.  Events were being held to obtain community feedback.
• The residential population was noted to have increased in the areas of Lee Circle and Abbey Street, and the associated policing implications were already under consideration.
• Contingency plans for other services could be considered at future scrutiny meetings.

Following the discussion of the verbal addendum regarding the NCP car parks - the members present who were not Commission members and the City Mayor left the meeting.

The Chair allowed Cllr Haq to remain and participate in the rest of the meeting.

Following consideration of the verbal addendum, the Chair moved the meeting on to the item on Transport Affordability.  Following the conclusion of the item on Transport Affordability, the consideration of the Parking Fees and Usage Update resumed with an update from the City Highways Director as follows:

• A report had been requested to come back to Scrutiny following a parking fee increase. The aim of the increase had been to address rising costs, revenue budget costing and to align the city with others and to provide sustainable transport solutions.
• There had been two elements to the tariff increase which were on and off street car parking.
• On street income had increased by 26%, this included the addition of the Sunday pay and display charging. Financial targets had been met.
• There was a slight downturn in off street parking, the largest reduction had been in long-stay parking. Incomes were in line with target though.
• Income from all off streets parking had increased by 21% but the usage had declined by 7% Calculations on a pro-rata basis indicated that the forecast growth of £1m would be met.

In response to member comment and discussion, the following was noted:

• Dwell time information fed into income modelling and showed a decrease in commuter carparking. The Haymarket carpark was notably popular.
• Most people were opting to use the pay by phone method for parking fees.
• In response to queries regarding the impact of Sunday charging, it was noted that the tariff had not had a significant overall effect, though a greater reduction in usage had been seen at Dover Street.
• Lower city footfall reflected the impact of Covid, commuter traffic had decreased, online shopping had increased. Under the Heart of Leicester plan, new cultural facilities would contribute to the city development.
• There would be an annual review of parking fees.

AGREED:

1)    That the report be noted.

2)    That comments made by members of this commission to be taken into account.

3)    Members would be kept informed on developments with the NCP situation.

4)    Consideration would be given to reserving the land next to Phoenix for patrons.

Councillor Byrne left during the consideration of this item and Councillor Rae Bhatia left at the end of this item.