Agenda item

To answer any questions from residents or businesses within the Tandridge District area in accordance with Standing Order 69. Notice should be given in writing or by email to the Community Partnership and Committee Officer by 12 noon four working days before the meeting.

Declarations of Interest: None

Officers Attending: Zena Curry, Area Highways Manager, SCC

Petitions, Public Questions and Statements: The questions and officer response were published within the supplementary agenda.

A total of eight public questions were received.  Seven of the questions related to parking enforcement and a request to installing parking meters from business owners in Caterham Town centre. One question was submitted regarding ‘re-wilding’ of grass verges in Surrey. 

Questions 1-7

Sue McGeown, Manager of Caterham Business Improvement District (BID) spoke on behalf of six businesses who had submitted questions. She explained that she represented the businesses in Caterham and felt that the Officer had responded with a statement rather than answering each question that had been asked. 

At the informal Local Committee in June the Members had agreed that parking meters could be installed on Croydon Road, Caterham. This decision would be agreed formally at the September 2019 meeting, however the decision had been deferred.  Businesses felt that by delaying this report, SCC are preventing the churn of customers to their businesses, as cars are parked all day without any consequence.  The Caterham BID have agreed they would pay for the meters and these would be maintained by Tandridge District Council. There would be no cost to SCC, therefore they see no reason for the report to be deferred.    

The Chairman advised that unfortunately an Officer from Parking was unable to attend the meeting.  However, he was aware that there have been some legal and procurement process difficulties in moving forward with the parking enforcement contract. 

Members Key Points

·         A Member stated he felt that SCC had let businesses down and it is regrettable.  Whilst the delay is happening, local businesses are struggling.

·         The Committee agreed that the service from the current parking enforcement contract is poor.  Many felt that this issue was not just in the Caterham area but in all areas of the District.

·         It was felt that the contract should be being enforced, and enforcement had been poor for a number of years in Tandridge. 

·         Members were disappointed that an officer could not attend the meeting and would like the matter resolved quickly.

·         The situation in Caterham has been on-going for a number of years and the BID would like to make it easier for Parking Enforcement Officers to issue tickets and the parking meters would be a suitable solution.

·         It was asked if dates could be provided as to when this matter would be resolved.

The Chairman suggested that he take this matter forward with the Cabinet Member for Highways, as the decision for appointing the parking enforcement provider is outside of the Local Committee’s remit and with the Cabinet Member.  The Chairman is keen to move this forward as quickly as possible and will be meeting with Officers at both District and County level to find a solution.

The Chairman felt that a written response to the BID Manager’s statement and supplementary questions would not be sufficient, and suggested that he would meet outside the meeting with the Divisional Member, who was unable to attend the Committee meeting and the Caterham BID Manager to move the matter forward. 

The Local Committee (Tandridge):

(i)            AGREED that the Chairman and Divisional Member for Caterham Valley meet with the Caterham BID Manager to discuss parking enforcement and the installation of parking meters in Caterham.

Question 8

A representative from the Village Council was not present at the meeting to ask a supplementary question. There were no Member comments.