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<p>The figures published by the RAC Foundation are based on data returns published
by my Department. Council returns’ suggest that profit (“net income”) on parking services
was £635 million in 2013-14. Penalty charge income from on-street parking was £343
million. The RAC Foundation observe that some councils’ operational costs have fallen
due to greater efficiencies, overall gross income has increased; as a result, net
profit has risen. Legislation and guidance is clear that on-street parking should
not be used as a source of general revenue.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Unreasonable
parking charges and fines push up hard-working people's cost of living. If parking
is too expensive or difficult, shoppers will simply drive to out of town supermarkets
or just shop online, undermining the vitality of town centres and leading to ‘ghost
town’ high streets. This Government has rejected the last Administration’s policy
of encouraging higher parking charges and aggressive parking enforcement, and is standing
up for hard-working people and local shops.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We are introducing
a series of reforms, including:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>· Stopping the abuse
or misuse of on-street parking CCTV;</p><p> </p><p>· Reforming operational parking
guidance so it is less heavy handed with motorists, prevents over-aggressive action
by bailiffs, positively supports local shops and clearly reinforces the prohibition
against parking being used to generate profit;</p><p> </p><p>· Introducing mandatory
10 minute “grace periods” at the end of on-street paid and free parking, and looking
to extend this to off-street municipal parking;</p><p> </p><p>· Implementing a new
right to allow local residents and local firms to demand a review of parking in their
area, including charges and the use of yellow lines;</p><p> </p><p>· Proposing a widening
of the powers of parking adjudicators, and updating guidance so the public know when
they can be awarded costs at tribunals;</p><p> </p><p>· Trialling a 25% discount for
drivers at appeal stage, reversing the current disincentive for drivers with a legitimate
case to appeal; and</p><p> </p><p>· Changing guidance so drivers parking at an out-of-order
meter are not fined if there are no alternative ways to pay.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
</p><p>We have also recently updated the local government Transparency Code to increase
information about local parking charges and the number of parking spaces, which we
expect councils now to implement as required by the statutory code.</p><p> </p><p>
</p><p> </p><p>The measures on curtailing parking CCTV are contained within the Deregulation
Bill, and I hope that noble peers will be supporting our measures at Report Stage
in light of the figures in the RAC Foundation report.</p><p> </p>
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