Aims of the policy
The policy is designed to provide a framework for the more effective re-provision of residents parking in Weymouth (Zones A and C), give guidelines for parking in the roads that have residents’ permits and how car parks can be utilised in future. Zones A and C are in central Weymouth, forming a triangle between the seafront and the station, the area is known locally as Park District of Weymouth. The area is mainly made up of Victorian streets and houses which are privately owned, rented and converted to bed and breakfasts/hotels thus the demand for parking is extremely high.
Background to the proposal
The current Residents Permit Parking Policy allows bed and breakfast/hotel owners to have a certain amount of resident permits and to park on the streets marked zones A and C, along with the local residents. On 11 January 2019, residents from the Park District Community Forum presented a petition to the council’s Petitions Committee. The purpose of the petition was to ask for a review of the Residents’ Parking Permit Policy specifically affecting the Park District area.
The petition led to the council undertaking a consultation into resident parking zones A, C and AC. The results were analysed and then there were four changes to the Residents’ Parking Policy that were recommended:
- that establishments within the Zones A and C areas of Weymouth identified as hotels, guest houses, holiday homes and Air B&B’s be provided with a like for like allocation of permits (should they wish to purchase them) for the Swannery Car Park. Guests visiting these establishments will still be able to park outside the property to drop off their luggage and check-in before receiving a permit and re-positioning their vehicle into the Swannery Car Park
- that all residential establishments be restricted to a maximum of 2 permits per household. Houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) would still have to be treated as separate individual establishments for the purpose of allocation
- that properties with private driveways be excluded from the scheme or set at a maximum of one, subject to point 2 being agreed
- that the one-hour maximum wait is confined only to the periods between 9am to 6pm, thereby allowing visitors to businesses to continue to do so
The recommendations were agreed and supported by the member brief-holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, Councillor (Cllr) Ray Bryan.
Intelligence and Communication
Data, information, evidence and research used and how it has influenced the decision-making process
Local area population statistics, the number of existing permit holders, the number of parking spaces, and the equality and diversity data (including age and disability) from the consultation were analysed.
There are no protected characteristic adversely affected by the recommended changes.
Engagement or consultation that has taken place as part of this EqIA
A consultation commenced 7 October 2019 and ran for six weeks ending 18 November 2019. The consultation was available both electronically and in paper form from the parking services team. The consultation was promoted widely through both the local press, social media. Three drop-in sessions were held locally covering afternoons and evenings allowing consultees to speak with representatives from the council’s Parking Services Team and for help completing the survey if required.
The main aim of the consultation was to understand how residents, businesses, hotel/guesthouses and other stakeholders feel about potentially changing the residents parking permit allocation with the intention of making the parking scheme more effective and alleviate the strain on parking in the area.
273 overall responses were received. 81% of responses were from residents, 7% from businesses. And 12.5% from guest house/hotel owners. The response size is good for a consultation of this type.
Feedback
The outcome of the consultation will be fed back to stakeholders through a phased project of:
- media publicity,
- Dorset Council’s website,
- individual householder letters explaining the new procedure.
Assessment
An EqIA is not required because the policy covers all residents, businesses and visitors in the Park District area. The purpose of the policy is to improve availability of parking for all who need it; hence no individual protected characteristic is adversely affected. The Blue Badge and Carer Permit schemes are not affected by this change.