Decision Maker: Executive
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
The council reviews its fees and charges for
its town centre car parks on an annual basis. This paper looks at
options in respect of the off-street council run car parks in the
town centre which are reviewed annually in September in line with
the anniversary of the opening of the Lexicon in 2017.
i. the Executive noted the options on charging tariffs for The Avenue, Braccan Walk and Weather Way car parks from 1st October 2024.
ii. the Executive approved their preferred option as detailed in Table 2 Option 1 set out in the report.
iii. the Executive agrees the tariff increase at Bracknell & Wokingham College from £2.50 to £3.00 per stay.
iv. The Executive agree that in future the town centre off street day rate car parking charges can be increased in line with the maximum allowed in the lease of the Avenue and that this is agreed as part of the annual fees and charges process starting in April 2025.
1. The fees for The Avenue, Braccan Walk and Weather Way car parks are reviewed annually in line with the anniversary of the opening of The Lexicon. If the recommendation in this report is agreed, and assuming that there is no year-on-year changes to the volume and dwell time of visitors based on 23/24 usage, the proposed increases will generate an additional maximum of £111,088 per annum.
2. In order to streamline and simplify the fee setting process these car parking fees should be included within the fees and charges as part of the annual budget setting process agreed by Council in February every year.
1. The Council could maintain the current charges for The Avenue, Braccan Walk and Weather Way car parks. However, this option is not recommended in the current budget circumstances as increasing current rates could generate additional income of up to £111,088 per annum based on 23/24 usage. 23/24 usage rates were broadly consistent with 22/23 usage, however the first quarter of 24/25 has shown a decrease of 16% on the first quarter of 23/24 so the trend needs to be carefully monitored.
2. If tariffs are not increased this year and increased in 12 months time in October 2025 then the increase will need to be greater at that point in order to rebalance income which may be considered negatively by the customer.
3. There is adequate capacity across the town centre. Even with the closure of the High Street car park there is not a detrimental impact on Braccan Walk car park which is only used to half its capacity. The Avenue car park is the busiest car park in town and at peak periods such as Christmas it can sometimes reach capacity with some level of queuing, however this is on occasion in the pre-Christmas run up rather than being the norm. In order to better manage supply and demand at peak periods across the whole estate the daily tariffs at Braccan Walk could be set at a slightly lower level so as to reduce demand at the Avenue at peak periods. Clearly this would have a negative effect financially.
None
Reason Key: Affects more than 1 ward;
Wards Affected: (All Wards);
Financial Impact: Contained within the report
Declarations: None
Subject to Urgent Proceedings: No
Making Representations: To Executive Director in writing
Other reasons / organisations consulted
By report
Consultees
Legal
Finance
The Lexicon
Contact: Damian James, Assistant Director: Contract Services Email: damian.james@bracknell-forest.gov.uk Tel: 01344 355157.
Report author: Damian James
Publication date: 17/09/2024
Date of decision: 17/09/2024
Decided at meeting: 17/09/2024 - Executive
Effective from: 26/09/2024
Accompanying Documents: