Agenda item

Members discussed the information that had been provided on pink papers in advance of the meeting about the Recreation Road South Car Park in exempt session.

It was noted that the Council was being offered extra funding by a third party to manage the car park at a time when the Council’s parking revenue had declined.  Members commented that the car park was not due to be refurbished for another 5 years and therefore a contract with a third party for 2 to 3 years would not impact on the condition of the car park.  Concerns were raised that the Council would lose revenue if this deal was agreed.  In addition, it was suggested that the car park was the jewel in the crown of Bromsgrove car parks and should therefore continue to be managed by the Council.

The Leader advised that moving forward, there were costs in respect of new car park infrastructure for the Recreation Road South Car Park.  Parking Enforcement Officers would be diverted from the car park to working around schools, which would potentially have a beneficial impact on the safety of local school pupils.  The Leader concluded by explaining that there would be no risk to the Council arising from the agreement with the third party.

During consideration of this item Members questioned whether there had been a breach in terms of the discussion of exempt information during the public session at the meeting, in particular through the naming of the third party organisation.  The Monitoring Officer explained that she would investigate whether there had been a breach, though she noted that there were potential exemptions in respect of the commercial aspects of the agreement.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 18.3 a recorded vote was taken and the voting was as follows:

For the Recommendation: Councillors S. Colella, R. Deeming, G. Denaro, S. Douglas, A. English, M. Glass, C. Hotham, R. Hunter, H. Jones, A. Kent, J. King, A. Kriss, K. May, M. Middleton, S. Robinson, M. Thompson, P. Thomas, J. Till, M. Sherrey, C. Spencer, K. Van Der Plank, S. Webb and P. Whittaker. (23)

Against the Recommendation: Councillors L. Mallett, P. McDonald and H. Rone-Clarke. (3)

Abstentions: (0)

On being put to the vote the recommendation was carried.

RESOLVED that the preliminary offer made by a third party, to take over the running and maintenance of the Recreation Road South Car Park be accepted.

(During the consideration of this item, Members discussed matters that necessitated the disclosure of exempt information. It was therefore agreed to move to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that information would be revealed relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).