This decision has been taken using the provisions of Part 9.3 (b) of the Constitution: the Chef Executive is authorised to take any urgent action necessary to protect the Council’s interests…where time is of the essence, and it is impracticable to secure authority to act.

The urgency in this case is there is not a meeting of the decision-making body i.e. Full Council - before the current decision to continue the combined Park and Ride tickets expires.

To continue the combined ticket for Park and Ride (parking-and-bus ticket) from 30 September 2023 until the close of the meeting of Full Council on 2 October 2023.

On 13 July 2022, Cabinet agreed to make permanent the combined ticket approach including 16 hours parking rather than 11 hours, plus a trial up to 30 September 2023 in terms of pricing. The promotion price was

·       £4 for 1 bus passenger and 1 car; and

·       £5 for 2 bus passengers and 1 car

until 30 Sept 2023.

On 13 September 2023 Cabinet recommended to Council (which meets on 2 October 2023), to agree the continued use of the combined ticket at the current price:

·       £4.50 1 bus passenger and 1 car; and

·       £5.50 for 2 bus passengers and 1 car

until April 2024.

The decision to offer combined tickets expires on 30 September 2023 which is prior to the full council meeting. Unless the present decision is taken, there is no authority for the use of the combined ticket in the intervening period.

This decision ensures the Park and Ride combined ticket charges are valid at current rates between the 30 September and the 2 October full council meeting. 

The Chief Executive could not take this decision; however, this would mean the Council would not have the legal power to charge for the combined tickets until the October full Council.

Decision taken by Caroline Green, Chief Executive, in consultation with Nigel Kennedy, Head of Financial Services; Emma Jackman, Head of Law and Governance; Councillor Louise Upton, Cabinet Member for Planning and Heathier Communities; and Councillor Ed Turner, Deputy Leader (Statutory) – Finance and Asset Management.