Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report which detailed a request from a member of the public in respect of the charges for car parking for 'Blue Badge' holders.  The Board received additional information about the Council's Shopmobility scheme from Mr. S. Martin, Transport and Engineering Manager, who also answered several questions from Members.

Mr. Martin explained that the cost of operating the Shopmobility scheme was covered by the income from charging 'Blue Badge' holders for car parking.  He stated that there were 314 registered users of the scheme and added that Shopmobility was being well used on a daily basis.  It was reported that the funding for the Shopmobility scheme had been provided by the removal of the concession to allow free parking for 'Blue Badge' holders.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the Board convey its thanks to Mr. L. Irving for bringing the issue to the Council's attention and highlighting the problems some members of the public may face as a result of the removal of the parking concession, and that he be sent a formal written response to explain the Board's decision; and

(b)       that, under paragraph 9.4 of the Cabinet Procedure Rules, the Chief Executive be requested to place an item for consideration on the next available Cabinet meeting agenda to re-evaluate the parking issues raised, especially in terms of the removal of the parking concession for 'Blue Badge' holders, the funding of the Shopmobility scheme, alternative methods of payment for car parking and the proposals for the regeneration of Bromsgrove Town Centre as a whole.