Issue - decisions

1.

Title of Item/Report

Car Parking Charges

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report on car parking charges in the Yarm and Stockton.

In October 2024, Cabinet made the decision to remove the first free hour of car parking across Council owned car parks in Stockton and Yarm. The decision to remove the free hour was taken with the aim of balancing the need to cover the costs of maintaining and managing car parking, with the desire to ensure our town centres remain attractive to shoppers.

At that October meeting a commitment was also made to reviewing the new arrangements to consider the impact on residents, visitors, and council finances.

At the May 2025 Full Council meeting, a motion was passed which recommended that Cabinet consider reversing this decision in respect of Yarm. As the policy decision applies to both Stockton and Yarm, and as there was an earlier Cabinet commitment to review the impact across both towns, the report set out the suggested scope for the review of charges, including consideration of impacts to businesses and residents.

The report also outlined the actions taken to mitigate any negative impact and the initial findings in relation to car park occupancy and footfall, as context for the review.

RESOLVED that the initial data in relation to parking in Yarm and Stockton be noted and the scope of the review of car park charges set out in the report be approved.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

To enable Cabinet to respond to the motion approved at May 2025 Full Council relating to the removal of the free hour car parking in Yarm.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight, Friday, 25 July 2025