To receive the report and recommendations of the school’s parking enquiry in order to endorse the recommendations and seek a response from the Executive as to their application.

The Chairman of the Schools Parking Task Force introduced the report, highlighting difficulties faced by each area and acknowledging that a single solution would not solve all the regional problems experienced in relation to parking outside of schools.

The Chairman introduced two Head Teachers from local schools, both of whom had contributed to a public survey. In light of their experiences they raised several points, including the following:-

·           The need for the Council and partners to work closely with schools planning and developers at an early stage in order to identify any parking issues and provide mitigations as necessary.

·           The benefits of staggering school start and finish times, although there were logistical difficulties in offering this in every instance.

·           That the primary focus should be the safety of school children and parents have a responsibility to drive and park safely in the vicinity of schools.

·           With schools’ primary focus being education, the difficulties of staff time being spent managing parking issues outside of schools, leading to a need for additional parking enforcement officers in the vicinity of schools.

·           The need to look at alternative solutions in light of the changing nature of car use and parental choice with regards to school placements.

In light of the report and comments made by the public speakers Members discussed the following in summary:-

·           The use of ANPR camera cars in isolation outside of schools, which had proved cost prohibitive due to restrictions on their use.

·           Support for a focus on speed reduction and safety measures, the promotion of healthy and sustainable travel to school and the use of current policy to introduce planning conditions on expanding or new build schools where appropriate.

·           The improvements which had already been realised in those schools that had already introduced staggered start and finish times.

·           The benefits of a park and stride solution in collaboration with schools, the Council and partners.

·           The importance of recognising the possibility of dispersing cars to a wider area if restrictions were placed directly outside of schools.

·           The need to consider the use of social media and other technology to send a positive message in relation to schools parking.

RECOMMENDED:-

1. That the Executive implement the recommendations as detailed within the report, assigning each agreed recommendation to the appropriate directorate.

2. That a copy of the report be circulated to all schools.