Parking charges transformation project phase 2 EQIA

Aims of the policy or strategy

The outcome of this project is to deliver greater consistency for our customers, from aligned charging and opening times across the Dorset Council car park estate. The change in charging may bring in additional income to the parking service which will be used in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 section 122 which stipulates the statutory purpose of the imposition of traffic regulation orders, including the imposition of charges, is: “to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of vehicular and other traffic (including pedestrians) and the provision of suitable and adequate parking facilities on and off the highway…”.

The scope of the project is as follows:

all Dorset Council car parks (long stay, short stay and those that are currently free of charge)
all Dorset Council on-street pay & display parking
review, agreement and implementation of 3-level charging structure
parking permits (long stay, shoppers (long and short stay), local area specific, Alderman permits)
recreational vehicle (RV) parking spaces and facilities

Background to the proposal

Since the formation of Dorset Council, aligning parking charges has been a key priority to bring consistency across the former council areas. The first phase of this work was implemented in April 2021, and consisted of:

implementation of Sunday charging in towns that did not already have it
changing charging hours in all car parks to 8am – 6pm
increasing the all-day car park prices in Lyme Regis and West Bay

View the Phase 1 EqIA .

The portfolio holder, Cllr Ray Bryan, has requested these changes be reviewed and implemented accordingly. Consultation on these proposals will take place through the format of stakeholder working groups and the final proposal will be shared with Members, Town and Parish Councils and BIDs for their review and feedback.

The aim for parking charges is to create a 3-level pricing structure across the Dorset Council parking estate with on-street parking charges aligning with off-street charges. The project includes the implementation of two new car park permits (to replace current car park permits), the aim of the permits is to give frequent car park users who live or work in Dorset better value parking.

Intelligence and communication

Data, information, evidence and research used and how it has influenced the decision-making process

This project chose to engage with the public through stakeholder working groups. The purpose of the stakeholder groups was to provide data and evidence on the potential impact of changes to charges and the implementation of resident and worker permit.

Benchmarking was undertaken to compare Dorset Council parking charges to similar locations across the south of the UK to check that pricing is fair and logical.

Research has been done on each location in Dorset Council that has a car park to look at the demographic of the population and who may possibly use the Dorset Council parking in that area. One of the purposes of this was to understand whether people with protected characteristics or other social factors may be adversely impacted.

This data told us that:

The main concerns with the change in parking charges which came out of the stakeholder working groups was the negative impact on low wage workers and local high streets/businesses. The new residents and workers car park permit seemed to mitigate these concerns.

Please see appendix 1 for local demographic data and benchmarking data.

Further information required to inform the proposal

n/a

Engagement or consultation that has taken place as part of this EqIA

Engagement has taken place with the following groups:

Towns and Parish Councils
Local Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)
local residents
local business
disability access groups

Feedback and communication

The final stakeholder working group will show the final proposed changes and how their input has shaped it.

Comments will be collated into a report and will go to Overview, Scrutiny and Cabinet for final sign-off in Autumn 2021.

Assessment

Impacts of the strategy

Impact on who or what	Effect	Details
Age	Unclear	There is no data held on the number of car park users who fall into each age bracket, so we cannot establish the scale of this impact. The changes will affect all residents, visitors and businesses who use Dorset Council car parks. We do not anticipate at this stage; the proposals will have any impact on this protected characteristic group.
Disability: (including physical, mental, sensory and progressive conditions)	Unclear	Disability exemption permits/blue badge permits are not being changed as part of this project, however no data held on the number of car park users who fall into this category, so we cannot establish the scale of impact. The changes will affect all residents, visitors and businesses who use Dorset Council car parks. We do not anticipate at this stage; the proposals will have any impact on this protected characteristic group
Gender Reassignment & Gender Identity: Pregnancy and maternity: Race and Ethnicity: Religion or belief: Sexual orientation: Sex (consider both men and women): Marriage or civil partnership: Single parent families Armed Forces communities	Neutral	There is no data held on the number of car park users who fall into this protected category, so we cannot establish the scale of this impact. The changes will affect all residents, visitors and businesses who use Dorset Council car parks. We do not anticipate at this stage; the proposals will have any impact on this protected characteristic group
Carers:	Neutral	Carers will not be affected as they are no changes to Carers permits
Rural isolation:	Possible negative	The changes could impact those living in rural villages outside of towns as an increase in parking charges could deter them from visiting.

Key to effects or impacts

Positive - the proposal eliminates discrimination, advances equality of opportunity and/or fosters good relations with protected groups.

Negative - protected characteristic group(s) could be disadvantaged or discriminated against

Neutral - no change/ no assessed significant impact of protected characteristic groups

Negative - protected characteristic group(s) could be disadvantaged or discriminated against

People who have agreed the EQIA

Date 13 September 2021

Equality Lead Rebecca Forrester