Portsmouth City Borough Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Preventing Homelessness Meeting

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Scott Payter-Harris and two of the Residents' Consortium representatives, Maria Cole and Sue Gordon. Councillor Sanders sent regards to those who were not present.

Councillor Corkery declared an interest as he is a Portsmouth City Council tenant.

Wayne Layton, Finance Manager, introduced the report.

Councillor Corkery said it was a good idea to increase charges for residents who do not live near the parking sites to £14 per week, which is in line with the Park & Ride weekly charge. The aim of the Park & Ride is to reduce car usage so it would be perverse if car parking sites were cheaper. Car parking charges could be higher, or perhaps the Park & Ride be made cheaper to encourage usage, but this point could be discussed another time.

Councillor Sanders explained the policy of local and non-local rates was introduced in 2014 to incentivise people who lived in or near council properties to have cheaper parking but he realises there are people who commute. Therefore, for the sake of fairness and bearing in mind the cost of living crisis, it is sensible to have reasonable incentives for residents to park locally.

DECISION

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Preventing Homelessness approved that the Garages and Parking Site Rents for 2022/23, to be applied from 28March 2022, as shown in Appendix 9, be approved and authority to let garages and parking sites at reduced rents where demand is low be delegated to the Director of Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services in consultation with the Director of Finance and Resources.