Apologies were received from Councillors Gwilym Butler and Cecilia Motley. Councillor Ed Potter substituted for Councillor Motley and Councillor Elliott Lynch substituted for Councillor Butler. 

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

The Chair reported that she had a Disposable Pecuniary Interest in Item 6 – Call-In Parking Strategy and would leave the meeting for the duration of this item.

To consider the Minutes of the Performance Management Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 11^th July 2018. [To follow]

The non-exempt minutes of the meeting held on 11 July 2018 were confirmed as a correct record.  A Member drew attention to questions asked by the Committee on the 11^th July in relation to Digital Transformation as he said they remained unanswered. 

To receive any questions or statements from the public of which members of the public have given notice.  Deadline for notification for this meeting is 2pm on Tuesday 11^th September 2018.

There were no public questions.

To receive any questions of which members of the Council have given notice.  Deadline for notification for this meeting is 2pm on Friday 7^th September 2018.

There were no member questions.

The decision of the Cabinet made on 25^th July 2018, with regard to the New Parking Strategy has been called in by the Liberal Democrat Group. The call-in is in relation to Agenda Item 11, concerning the extension of the charging period in Shrewsbury town centre car parks from 6.00pm to 8.00pm. The report considered by Cabinet will be ‘to follow’.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to consider the decision taken by Cabinet on 25^th July 2018.

The Chair left the room for this item as she had a disclosable pecuniary interest.  As the Chair and Vice-Chair were both absent the Committee elected Councillor Ed Potter to take the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

The Liberal Democrat Group had called in the decision with regard to the element of the New Parking Strategy concerning the extension of the charging period in Shrewsbury Town Centre car parks from 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm.  Following the Cabinet meeting on 5 September 2018 the only issue remaining for consideration was the Shrewsbury Raven Meadows Car Park. The call in questioned whether consideration had been given regarding statements in the report setting out public comments relating to safety for workers travelling alone back to their car, and the safety and wellbeing of workers, mainly from the younger generation.  

The Highways, Transport and Environment Commissioning Manager explained the existing Traffic Regulation Order for Raven Meadows Car Park which allowed hours of operation on all days, all hours, for vehicles less than 2.2 m in height.  However the car park was currently locked between the hours of 7pm and 7am.  It was pay on foot and existing hours of charging were 8am – 6pm, including Bank and Public Holidays and Sundays.  Charges were not applied to vehicles leaving after 6pm and before 7pm or during the overnight period. 

1,240 people and organisations had responded to the consultation regarding the proposal to open Raven Meadows for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  87% of respondent were in favour of the proposal and 13% were against.  237 comments had been received in total of which 69% were in support and 27% against, 1% had mixed views and 3% had not stated an opinion.   Although there were  comments in support of the 24 hours a day opening, the security and safety of users of Raven Meadows during overnight hours were considered to be an issue.  People were concerned that night time opening would invite anti-social behaviour and improvements such as improved lighting, controlled night-time access, CCTV and staff attendants had been suggested.

Affordability of parking at the multi-story overnight had also been a recurrent theme.  There had been a couple of suggestions in relation to this, including a capped fee, and making it free to park after 10.00 pm.  Some respondents had noted that opening the multi-story 24/7 would specifically support the local hotel economy, particularly the neighbouring Premier Inn and that it would support more generally the night time and visitor economy.

Comments in opposition had said that there was no need for the multi-storey car park to open 24/7, but had not stated a reason why.  Many comments related to the issue of safety and security of users and some people felt that the fees would be too expensive. 

The Committee was informed that in response to the public consultation and after discussions with the Shrewsbury Business Improvement District, the following amendments to the parking strategy proposals relating to Raven  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

The Committee is scheduled to next meet at 2.00pm on  Wednesday 24^th October 2018.

The date of the next meeting was discussed.  A member asked about the work programme and why intended items for the meeting had not been brought forward.  He asked that an explanation be provided when items listed in the work programme were not included in agenda as planned.  He also expressed the view that the Committee should be able to look at items ahead of or in parallel with Cabinet, rather than having to wait.