Financial provisions relating to the income and expenditure of local authorities in connection with parking are stipulated in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Subsection 4 of section 55 specifies the purposes for the application of any surplus income from parking. This includes making good any deficit charged to the general fund in the preceding four financial years.<\/p>
<\/p>
In line with the Local Authority Transparency Code, local authorities should each year publish their costs and profits relating to their parking management, allowing the public to hold councils to account. Parking is the responsibility of local authorities, and it is for them to determine what is best for their own area.<\/p>
<\/p>
Off-street parking and all matters relating to it are the responsibility of the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4972", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-28T15:34:46.617Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parking: Fees and Charges"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adherence of local authorities to the requirement of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 that profits from off-street car parking may not be transferred to their general fund.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4341", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Pinnock"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Pinnock"} ], "uin" : "HL1732"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1732496", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1732496/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector. The Private (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. We will announce our plans for the new Code in due course.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4641", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alex Norris"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Nottingham North and Kimberley"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alex Norris"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "7983"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-21T15:47:36.433Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parking: Fees and Charges"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that private car park charges are reasonable.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5142", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sheffield Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Abtisam Mohamed"} ], "uin" : "7982"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1732497", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1732497/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector. The Private (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. We will announce our plans for the new Code in due course.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4641", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alex Norris"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Nottingham North and Kimberley"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alex Norris"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "7982"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-21T15:47:36.467Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parking: Fees and Charges"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing an independent appeals service for drivers to challenge parking charges.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5142", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sheffield Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Abtisam Mohamed"} ], "uin" : "7983"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1697167", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1697167/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Local authorities are at liberty to provide free or charged parking. The Department for Transport is taking steps through the Plan for Drivers to ensure that enforcement is fair and proportionate.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4142", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Guy Opperman"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hexham"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Guy Opperman"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-03-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-03-25T16:28:54.787Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parking: Fees and Charges"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of allocating additional funding to (a) towns and (b) villages with free parking to help maintain those free services.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5011", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gen Kitchen"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wellingborough"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gen Kitchen"} ], "uin" : "19513"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1686464", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1686464/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The information you asked for is not centrally collated.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4825", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jacob Young"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Redcar"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jacob Young"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-02-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-02-06T14:40:47.703Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parking: Fees and Charges"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has made an estimate of the increase to council parking charges in each year since 2015.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4934", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Helen Morgan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Shropshire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Helen Morgan"} ], "uin" : "12487"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1658415", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1658415/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
All local authorities have existing statutory duties to ensure that they do not discriminate in their decision making against older people or those with vulnerabilities. The Secretary of State recently wrote to all local authorities in England setting out his expectations that parking services for which councils are responsible remain accessible.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4737", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dehenna Davison"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bishop Auckland"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dehenna Davison"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-09-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-09-11T13:30:09.257Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-09-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parking: Fees and Charges"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will hold discussions with local authorities on the potential merits of their continuing to accept cash payments from members of the public using local authority car parks; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1200", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Greg Knight"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Yorkshire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Greg Knight"} ], "uin" : "197713"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1612588", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1612588/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Secretary of State recently wrote to all local authorities in England setting out his expectations that parking services for which councils are responsible for remain accessible. For example, it would not seem appropriate for parking on a high street to be solely available for those who have access to a mobile phone. Nor would it appear sensible for local authorities to phase out paper-based parking options such as 'scratch cards' if the only available replacement is an entirely digital option.<\/p>
All local authorities have statutory duties to ensure that they do not discriminate in their decision making against older people or those with vulnerabilities. Cash remains legal tender and it will continue to be used by people who favour its accessibility and ease. Local authorities should ensure that there are alternative provisions for parking payments available so that no part of society is digitally excluded.<\/p>
A copy of the letter is available on gov.uk<\/p>
Questions about medical appointments should be directed to the Department of Health and Social Care. Responsibility for local government is devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but officials in this department will engage counterparts on these matters.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4553", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Scott of Bybrook"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-05-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL7261"} , {"_value" : "HL7315"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-05-02T14:56:53.23Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-04-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parking: Fees and Charges"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have issued any guidance to councils to protect older people in (1) England, (2) Wales, (3) Scotland, and (4) Northern Ireland, who have removed cash or telephone credit card payment options from parking services and have introduced digital or app-only payments that require ownership and Wi-Fi connection of smartphones.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4533", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Altmann"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Altmann"} ], "uin" : "HL7262"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605474", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605474/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Impact Assessment and consultation on levels of private off-street parking charges and additional fees will be published in due course. Announcements will be made in the usual way.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4737", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dehenna Davison"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bishop Auckland"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dehenna Davison"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-28T16:39:23.407Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parking: Fees and Charges"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 8 March to Question 156100, when his Department plans to (a) complete and (b) publish its impact assessment on levels of private parking charges and additional fees.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4769", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Daisy Cooper"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "St Albans"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Daisy Cooper"} ], "uin" : "169444"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1550132", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1550132/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government recognises the important link between parking provision and the vitality of our high streets and town centres. However, in line with the Government's position on localism, management of parking facilities is the responsibility of local authorities, and it is for them to determine what is appropriate in their own area, including setting of parking tariffs.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4553", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Scott of Bybrook"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-12-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-12-19T16:20:38.07Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-12-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parking: Fees and Charges"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with councils across England about waiving or reducing car parking charges in the run up to Christmas in order to assist businesses in town centres.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/655", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown"} ], "uin" : "HL4161"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1542899", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1542899/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "