Agenda item

To receive the report of the Head of Communities & Place.

Resolved:

Charitable events on the Quay Car Park (including the area know as Fisherman’s Quay) in Bideford are charged at a rate of 50% of the maximum charge.

Chair introduced Councillor Lovell’s Notice of Motion and provided the Councillor with an opportunity to speak .

The Head of Community and Place summarised the question for members and it’s journey to the Committee today. Members were advised of the recommendation.

Councillor Lovell requested that, if a full discount wasn’t possible, a higher discount be considered. It was felt that other car parks within the vicinity would continue to charge and those charges could be used to cover costs.  

Members discussed the discount and how this could be perceived, and it was also questioned whether this would set a precedent for other towns in the District.

During discussion on the costs and administration of car parks Councillor Leather provided an amendment to the recommendation and proposed that the percentage be amended to 50%.

Members noted their support for this amendment, stating the limited number of charitable events in Bideford and access to adjacent car parks. It was also felt the council should not profit from a charity event.

There was further discussion regarding whether TDC would be setting a precedent for other areas.  The Head of Communities and Place advised members this was not the case as the Notice of Motion related specifically to Bideford Quay, and any additional requests and the possible implications would need to be considered separately.

Members raised discussions at the Budget Working Group on this matter, and the reasoning for the recommendation to Committee.  The need to balance the recommendation alongside the budget for statutory and discretionary services was highlighted and members were reminded to consider the implications for future budgets, given current forecasts.

Following a member query it was confirmed the proposed discount would be for Registered Charities.

A suggestion was made that figures relating to the average takings of adjacent car parks to the Quay could be compared with figures for dates when events have taken place. It was asked if these figures could be made available and Chair advised that the matter could then be deferred. The Head of Communities and Place advised of the scale of work involved in collating this data balanced with its accuracy.   

Members had a detailed discussion regarding the statistics / figures used to come to the recommendation, and it was clarified that the Car Parks in question were Quay Car Park and Open Fisherman’s Warfe. During discussions the Section 151 Officer restated the importance of considering the budget for the following and future years and the implication of providing a more generous offer than recommended within the report.  

Councillor Dart proposed the item be deferred till the 4^th March, after the Budget Setting meeting due to take place next Monday. The Chief Executive advised that this could be deferred, but as it is a ‘discreate item’ – meaning it is from a Notice of Motion – the discussion would remain the same as was currently tabled. There was no seconder for the proposal.

Following a final discussion on the wording of the amendment and detail of the report it was proposed by Councillor Leather, seconded by Councillor Whittaker and –

Resolved:

Charitable events on the Quay Car Park (including the area know as Fisherman’s Quay) in Bideford are charged at a rate of 50% of the maximum charge.

(Vote: For – 7, Abstentions – 3)