Purpose

To consider the Council’s approach to parking arrangements across North Northamptonshire. 

Decision

RESOLVED:

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

a)     Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Highways and Travel, to finalise and then approve the publication and public consultation on the draft North Northamptonshire Council Car Parking Strategy.

b)     Agreed to receive the updated Draft Car Parking Strategy, informed by the consultation feedback and comments from the relevant Scrutiny Committee, expected in early 2027.

Reasons for Recommendations –

a)     A clear, consistent car parking strategy will ensure the Council provides car parking solutions which enhance customer experience, drive efficient management and investment, and promote modal shifts in transport. 

b)     The Draft Car Parking Strategy directly supports the ambitions and priority themes set out within the North Northamptonshire Council Corporate Plan and Economic Growth Strategy. The Corporate Plan outlines four overarching priorities: Family, Community, Prosperity, and Smarter, Faster, Fairer Public Services. These themes form the foundation for the Council’s vision to deliver well-connected places, support local economic growth, enhance environmental quality and provide modern, responsive services.

c)     The Corporate Plan emphasises the creation of safe, clean, well-maintained and well-connected neighbourhoods, and commits to investing in local infrastructure that strengthens communities.  The Draft Car Parking Strategy contributes to this by:

•         Ensuring that parking assets are managed consistently and transparently, improving the day-to-day experience for residents and visitors.

•         Reducing anti-social parking behaviours through the consolidation and updating of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), which supports safer streets and better movement of traffic.

•         Investing in accessible infrastructure, including upgraded payment options, improved signage, increased availability of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging and enhanced disabled parking provisions, all of which contribute to creating welcoming and inclusive public spaces.

The Corporate Plan highlights the commitment to growing a prosperous local economy, supporting local businesses and creating vibrant town centres.  The Draft Car Parking Strategy reinforces this aim by:

•         Assessing whether a more consistent and user-friendly tariff structure could support space availability and turnover in key commercial areas and contribute to footfall for local shops and services.

•         Providing more reliable and accessible parking options, which enhance the visitor experience and encourage longer stays, directly benefiting local high streets.

•         Supporting modal shift through improved access to public transport hubs, EV charging, and provision for emerging forms of mobility such as e-scooters, which improves connectivity and broadens access to local economic centres.

•         Integrating real-time parking information to reduce congestion, making town centres more attractive for business activity.

The Corporate Plan sets out a clear intention to deliver services that are modern, efficient, customer-focused and technologically enabled.  The Draft Car Parking Strategy supports this priority through:

•         Introducing mobile and cashless payment systems, simplifying the parking experience and reducing operational costs.

•         Reducing reliance on physical pay-and-display machines, lowering maintenance needs and improving system reliability.

•         Implementing digital permits and consolidating TROs into a single digital system, which supports efficiency, transparency and ease of compliance.

•         Using data from digital payment systems and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) (for operational insight only) to support evidence-based decision making and continuous improvement.

•         Ensuring financial sustainability through thoughtful tariff setting and reinvestment of income in accordance with national guidance.

Taken together, the Draft Car Parking Strategy strongly supports the Council’s Corporate Plan by:

•         Improving community safety, accessibility and cohesion.

•         Strengthening local economic activity.

•         Supporting environmental improvement and net-zero ambitions

•         Delivering modern, efficient and customer-focused public services.

•         Positioning North Northamptonshire for long-term sustainable development.

This clear alignment ensures that the parking strategy is not only operationally robust, but also a key contributor to the Council’s wider corporate vision.

Alternative Options Considered – The following were considered:

a)     Continuing without a clear and consistent strategy for the management and operational delivery of car parking options across North Northants. This option increased the financial risk associated with the management and operation of car parking assets.

b)     Continuing with disparate management and provision of car parking assets across North Northamptonshire. This option did not provide a fair approach to car parking tariffs or availability of car parking access.