Residents' Services SC

Cabinet Member Petition Hearing Report – 4 September 2024 Page 1 (Part 1 Public) PETITION REQUESTING PARKING PROVISIONS IN RUISLIP MAIN CAR PARK & WILLOW LAWN CAR PARK Cabinet Member(s) Cllr Eddie Lavery Cabinet Portfolio(s) Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Officer Contact(s) Richard Webb, Place Directorate Papers with report None HEADLINES Summary To inform the Cabinet Member that a petition has been submitted by the residents of the Ruislip RL2 zone. The petition requests the implementation of free parking after 6 pm in both the Ruislip Lido Main Car Park and Willow Lawn Car Park. The residents have raised concerns about the increasing number of vehicles parking on surrounding roads after 7 pm, which coincides with the end of the current Parking Management Scheme restriction on parking in residential roads near the Lido . They believe that allowing free parking in the designated car parks after 6 pm will alleviate this issue and improve the overall parking situation in the area. Putting our Residents First Delivering on the Council Strategy 2022-2026 This report supports our ambition for residents / the Council of: Be / feel safe from harm This report supports our commitments to residents of: Safe and Strong Communities Financial Cost Should a trial period of free evening parking be progressed , there would be a loss of income estimated at up to c.£13k, to be managed within Parking Services revenue budgets. Relevant Select Committee Residents’ Services Select Committee Relevant Ward(s) Ruislip Cabinet Member Petition Hearing Report – 4 September 2024 Page 2 (Part 1 Public) RECOMMENDATIONS That the Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services: 1. Meets with petitioners and listens to their request to introduce provisions for free parking in Ruislip Lido Main Car Park and Willow Lawn Car Park after 6pm. 2. If revisions to the charging periods for the Lido car parks are considered appropriate, considers a trial period of 3 to 6 months of free parking after either 6pm or 7pm. This will allow for data collection and evaluation of the benefits and any potential issues arising. Reasons for recommendations The Petition Hearing will provide a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the petitioners regarding their concerns and suggestions . A trial period for a ny changes would allow for evaluation of the potential benefits against revenue implications for the Council. Alternative options considered / risk management Alternative options which would deter parking in residential streets in the evenings include extending the hours of the current Parking Management Scheme . However, this option is not supported by the petitioners. Select Committee comments None at this stage. Democratic compliance / previous authority Not applicable. SUPPORTING INFORMATION 1. A petition with what appears to be 3 1 signatories has been submitted to the Council in relation to parking provisions in Ruislip Lido Main Car Park and Willow Lawn Car Park. The desired outcome of the petition is stated as: “Change parking times in both Main Lido and Willow Lawn car parks to ‘free parking after 6pm’ to encourage Lido visitors to use car parks provided instead of using the limited spaces available in the RL2 zone”. 2. In addition, accompanying the petition, was a request to note residents’ comments that: “Lido visitors are now parking in the RL2 zone to avoid charges at the Lido car parks. This results in no parking spaces for the residents of RL2.” Cabinet Member Petition Hearing Report – 4 September 2024 Page 3 (Part 1 Public) 3. Charging hours for the Lido Main Car Park and Willow Lawn Car Park vary by month to reflect demand. They are currently as follows: Months Charging Period January, February, November and December 0800 to 1800 March, September and October 0800 to 2000 April to August 0800 to 2100 4. The Council currently uses a dynamic pricing model under which parking rates vary based on demand. The current charges are as follows: Ruislip Main Car Park - Lido Charges from 15 April 2024 Charges Hillingdon First Card Non-Card Holders High Season: May - Aug (Up to 3 Hours) £0.00 £8.50 High Season: May - Aug (Over 3 Hours) £5.50 £15.50 Low Season: Sep - April (Up to 3 Hours) £0.00 £5.50 Low Season: Sep - April (Over 3 Hours) £3.00 £7.50 Willow Lawn Car Park Charges from 15 April 2024 Charges Hillingdon First Card Non-Card Holders High Season: May - Aug (Up to 3 Hours) £0.00 £8.50 High Season: May - Aug (Over 3 Hours) £5.50 £15.50 Low Season: Sep - April (Up to 3 Hours) £0.00 £5.50 Low Season: Sep - April (Over 3 Hours) £3.00 £7.50 5. Revenue from the car parks helps to offset costs associated with maintaining the car parks and for parking enforcement to monitor parking restrictions in the area. Reducing charging periods for Council car parks will impact on the income available to the Council for these purposes. 6. When considering the request from local residents, it is important to understand and take into account the loss of revenue if parking is made free after 6pm. Analysis of receipts for the Lido Main Car Park and Willow Lane Car Park for the evening charging periods (1800 to 2000 or 2100) between April 2023 and March 2024 shows total income to be c.£13k for that financial year. Income for the same time periods for the 2024/25 financial year is projected to be similar. Therefore, providing free parking after 6pm in these car parks will result in an annual loss of income at this level. Cabinet Member Petition Hearing Report – 4 September 2024 Page 4 (Part 1 Public) 7. It should be noted that approximately 63% of the parking receipts for parking after 6pm in these car parks is paid for in the period between 6 and 7pm. 8. If charging periods were changed for these car parks, the Council would incur some costs to change signage, though these would be minimal. 9. As an alternative , the Council could review the benefits of extending the hours of the current Parking Management Scheme to cover the evening period. This could help manage parking more effectively, reduce congestion on surrounding roads and ensure that local residents have priority access to parking spaces during peak times . But, to achieve these outcomes it would be necessary to extend the parking enforcement provision in the area to cover the extended time period of the restrictions. This would have cost implications for the Council. Given that there are continued parking contraventions in the area near the Lido during the current hours that the parking management scheme operates, it is unlikely that extending the hours of that scheme would be effective in deterring unaut horised parking. 10. The Council is currently analysing the outcomes of a trial of ANPR equipped parking enforcement cars which might provide an effective option for monitoring compliance in parking management schemes going forward, but the outcomes of the t rial are not yet known. 11. Further alternative options would be to offer free parking after 7pm or to offer discounted parking rates after 6 pm rather than free parking. Changing the charging period so that parking is free after 7pm would align the charging p eriod with the local on -street parking restrictions. Offering a d iscounted rate in the evening could help manage demand while still providing an incentive for evening visitors . If this option w as preferred, it is recommended that a trial be conducted to ensure that it was effective in reducing parking in residential streets. Financial Implications Subject to the outcome of discussions with petitioners, the Cabinet Member may agree to a trial period of 3 to 6 months (to take place during the Summer 2025 season) of free parking after either 6pm or 7pm , whilst the impact on the issues raised is assessed (and prior to any decisions regarding permanent changes being considered). This would affect income levels. It is noted that currently, c.£13k of income is generated annually via parking after 6pm at the Lido Main Car Park and Willow Lawn Car Park . There are also small costs associated with changing signage at the Car Parks and parking payment systems. Potential income pressures and additional costs will require review as part of the monthly budget monitoring cycle. If permanent changes are subsequently agreed, any budgetary realignment within the parking service would be addressed via the fees & charges review as part of the 2026/27 MTFF planning process. Cabinet Member Petition Hearing Report – 4 September 2024 Page 5 (Part 1 Public) RESIDENT BENEFIT & CONSULTATION The benefit or impact upon Hillingdon residents, service users and communities The recommendations will allow the Cabinet Member to consider the petitioners’ requests and to decide on the preferred response. Consultation carried out or required No consultation has been carried out. CORPORATE CONSIDERATIONS Corporate Finance Corporate Finance has reviewed the recommendations to this report and concurs with the financial implications as set out above. Legal Legal Services confirm that there are no specific legal considerations arising from this report. BACKGROUND PAPERS None. TITLE OF ANY APPENDICES None.

Cabinet Member Petition Hearing Report – 4 September 2024 Page 1 (Part 1 Public) PETITION REQUESTING THE INSTALLATION OF A HEDGEROW AT UXBRIDGE COMMON Cabinet Member(s) Councillor Eddie Lavery Cabinet Portfolio(s) Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Officer Contact(s) Stuart Hunt, Head of Green Spaces Papers with report None HEADLINES Summary To inform the Cabinet Member that a petition , signed by 26 residents, has been submitted to install a hedge at Uxbridge Common along Park Road to prevent animals straying into the road. Putting our Residents First Delivering on the Council Strategy 2022-2026 This report supports our ambition for residents / the Council of: Enjoy access to green spaces, leisure activities, culture and arts This report supports our commitments to residents of: A Green and Sustainable Borough Financial Cost There are no direct financial implications associated with the recommendations of this report Relevant Select Committee Residents’ Services Select Committee Relevant Ward(s) Uxbridge RECOMMENDATIONS That the Cabinet Member:  Meets with petitioners and listens to their request to install a hedge at Uxbridge Common to prevent access to Park Road; and  Subject to the outcome of the above, decides whether to instruct officers to install the hedge. Cabinet Member Petition Hearing – 4 September 2024 Page 2 Part I – Public Reasons for recommendations The petition hearing will provide a valuable opportunity to hear directly from petitioners regarding their suggestions. Alternative options considered / risk management None at this stage. Select Committee comments None at this stage. SUPPORTING INFORMATION 1. A petition with 26 signatures has been submitted to the Council under the following heading: Request for Resident and Dog Friendly Hedge along Park Road Section of North Uxbridge Common. “We the undersigned petition Hillingdon Council to provide a short (at least 1m) high, quick growing, hedge (made from Hawthorne whips ) to act as a barrier to car sound and air pollution from Park Road and act as safety feature for dogs and children straying onto the road” Justification: “The hedge would not only act as an important inward barrier from car noise and exhaust pollution but also act as an outward barrier for children chasing balls and dogs (who can easily slip their leads if enticed by foxes etc..) into the busy traffic of Park Road.” 2. Uxbridge Common is a pleasant and historical green situated just north of the busy Uxbridge town centre. The Common is an open landscape surrounded by le afy mature trees. Local residents and visitors regularly use it is an ideal place to walk, sit, relax and enjoy the peaceful open air. 3. The Common is 5.2 hectares and is designated as Common Land. Part of its area is also designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. Features of the Common also include some unusual and interesting species including Great Crested newt and mistletoe. Key habitats include an area of acid grassland and gorse and a wildlife pond. 4. The installation of a hedge at the Park Road boundary would directly affect the open views of Uxbridge Common from Park Road and the historical openness of the site. 5. Should a hedgerow be established, this would require fencing (at least during the establishment period), mulching and regular maintenance to ensure successful establishment. This would further detract from the open aspect of the common. Cabinet Member Petition Hearing – 4 September 2024 Page 3 Part I – Public 6. Common land and village greens are protected by the Common Act 2006. Consent from the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs may be required to carry out any works that would prevent or impede access to common land or for works for the resurfacing of land. These works could include putting up new fences. 7. Within open spaces dog owners must always keep their pet under control. If they are hard to control or might chase other dogs or wildlife, then they must stay on a lead. 8. Hillingdon House Farm on the other side of Park Road is 50 hectares greenspace enclosed with fencing which is a much more suitable area for dogs during training or who are susceptible to slipping their leashes. Map of Uxbridge Common and Hillingdon House Farm opposite Financial Implications There are no direct financial implications associated with the recommendations contained in this report at this stage. However, if the Council was to consider installing the hedge this would need to be costed, and its regular maintenance considered for future budget provision. Cabinet Member Petition Hearing – 4 September 2024 Page 4 Part I – Public RESIDENT BENEFIT & CONSULTATION The benefit or impact upon Hillingdon residents, service users and communities To allow the Cabinet Member to consider the petitioners’ request. Consultation carried out or required None at this stage. CORPORATE CONSIDERATIONS Corporate Finance Corporate Finance have reviewed this report and concur with the Financial Implications set out above, noting there are no direct financial implications associated with the recommendation in this report, with the second recommendation expected to be delivered within the approved budget for 2024/25 with future year impacts to be considered as part of the refresh of the Council’s budget strategy. Legal Legal Services confirm that the installation of a hedge on any part of Uxbridge Common will require the consent of the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State. BACKGROUND PAPERS Nil. TITLE OF ANY APPENDICES None.