URL: https://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5372

Decision Maker: Council

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: Members debated a petition, submitted to the Council on 21 June 2025, titled ‘Unfair Parking Charges 2025 Increase’ that had received 1,198 verified signatures.   In accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme outlined in Part 4G of the Council’s Constitution the petition organiser addressed the meeting for five minutes to present the petition.   The Portfolio Holder for Finance highlighted the financial pressures driving the budget decisions, including the 4.99% council tax rise agreed in February and a projected £14 million budget shortfall for 2026–27. It was noted that adult and children’s social care and homelessness now accounted for two-thirds of council expenditure, and road maintenance costs were rising. It was emphasised that income from parking charges offset some of these expenses but did not cover them fully.   Members of the opposition highlighted the impact of increased parking charges on visitors and businesses. It was noted that while the new charges were aligned with neighbouring boroughs, the Council should consider revoking free parking permits for councillors and adopt fairer practices such as emission-based tariffs. It was also expressed that the Independent Opposition Group had not been consulted and reiterated their willingness to contribute ideas.   Several Councillors responded that the charges were necessary and proportionate. The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Transport, Waste and Recycling pointed out that Kingston’s rates remained competitive with other boroughs and stressed that the revenue supported key services including highways maintenance and concessionary travel, which alone cost £6.2 million. It was also noted that 25% of borough residents did not own a car and it would be unfair for them to disproportionately bear costs. It was added that economic development teams were monitoring local high streets and retail parades to assess the impact and explore targeted support, including a new retail parking study, and that parking for half-hour increments had been reintroduced.   Councillor James Giles proposed, under Procedural Rule 16 (4) that a vote be taken to suspend procedural rules to permit a motion without notice to be proposed and seconded.   Voting:   For: Councillors James Giles, Jamal Chohan, Kamala Kugan and Yvonne Tracey. (4)   Against: Councillors Afy Afilaka, Andrew Bolton, Lorraine Dunstone, Mark Durrant, Mariana Goncalves, Liz Green, Helen Grocott, Patrick Hall, Sabah Hamed, Roger Hayes, Lesley Heap, Lynn Henderson, Peter Herlinger, Alison Holt, Amir Ali Khan, Robert Dongsung Kim, Andreas Kirsch, Griseldis Kirsch, Mike Massimi, Sharukh Mirza, Nicola Nardelli, Anne Owen, Elizabeth Park, Tom Reeve, Farshid Sadr-Hashemi, Anita Schaper, Andrew Sillett, Susan Skipwith, John Sweeney, Thay Thayalan, Richard Thorpe, Olly Wehring, Andrew Wooldridge and Yogan Yoganathan.(34)   Abstentions: Councillors Noel Hadjimichael (Mayor), Sue Ansari (Deputy Mayor), Rowena Bass and Ian George. (4)   It was further requested by Councillor Giles that the matter be referred to the Place Committee for further consideration under procedural rule 8B(1), this was not permitted as the debate had concluded. The Mayor summarised that there had been a commitment during debate to continuing reviews and support for businesses and asked Council to agree that the petition be noted.      A roll call vote was requested by Councillor James Giles under Procedure Rule 12, supported by Councillors Yvonne Tracey, Jamal Chohan and Kamala Kugan. The Council proceeded with the vote by roll call, as required under standing orders and it was –   RESOLVED that the petition be noted.   For: Councillors Afy Afilaka, Andrew Bolton, Rowena Bass, Jamal Chohan, Lorraine Dunstone, Mark Durrant, Ian George, Patrick Hall, Sabah Hamed, Roger Hayes, Lesley Heap, Lynn Henderson, Peter Herlinger, Alison Holt, Amir Ali Khan, Robert Dongsung Kim, Andreas Kirsch, Griseldis Kirsch, Sharukh Mirza, Nicola Nardelli, Anne Owen, Elizabeth Park, Tom Reeve, Farshid Sadr-Hashemi, Anita Schaper, Andrew Sillett, John Sweeney, Thay Thayalan, Richard Thorpe, Andrew Wooldridge and Yogan Yoganathan.(31)   Against: Councillors James Giles, Kamala Kugan and Yvonne Tracey. (3)   Abstentions: Councillors Noel Hadjimichael (Mayor), Sue Ansari (Deputy Mayor), Maria Goncalves, Liz Green, Helen Grocott, Mike Massimi, Susan Skipwith, and Olly Wehring. (8)  

Date of Decision: July 8, 2025