Issue - meetings

To consider authorising the introduction of Cashless Parking within Spelthorne Borough Council owned car parks.

The Committee considered a report on the introduction of an additional type of cashless parking within Spelthorne Borough Council-owned car parks.

The Parking Services Operational Manager explained the report arose from member interest at a previous meeting, and that the introduction of this type of cashless parking would provide an additional choice to users of Spelthorne Borough Council owned car parks. He clarified that under the financial implications in the report, options 3.1 (a) and 3.1 (b) should be swapped.

The Committee noted that introducing this type of payment would not eliminate cash payments within the car parks, but would introduce another option for cashless payment through mobile devices. The Committee debated whether the customer should pay the associated fees for the service or whether the fees should be incorporated into the cost of parking and paid through the Council. The Committee felt the fees should be paid directly by the customer as this would provide them with more transparency and control over the transaction, and these additional fees for using this payment method should be clearly advertised. Choosing this option would also save the Council from incurring additional costs.

Alternative options considered and rejected by the Committee:

1) Authorise the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services to introduce “Cashless” payment as an approved payment method in The Spelthorne Borough Council (Off-Street Parking Places) Order, and for the transaction charges to be paid directly by Spelthorne Borough Council per transaction;

2) Reject the introduction of “Cashless” payment as an approved payment method in The Spelthorne Borough Council (Off-Street Parking Places) Order, with the current payment methods being considered sufficient and proportionate to the needs of its customers.

The Committee resolved to:

1. Authorise the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services to introduce “Cashless” payment as an approved payment method in The Spelthorne Borough Council (Off-Street Parking Places) Order;

2. Agree for the transaction charges to be paid directly by the customer, in addition to the existing tariff charges;

3. Authorise the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services to enter into a procurement exercise to tender for a Cashless parking provider;

4. Delegate the appointment of the contractor to the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Neighbourhood Services Committee;

5. Authorise the Group Head of Corporate Governance to complete any legal documentation necessary to implement the new contract.