Agendas, Meetings and Minutes - Agenda item

Agenda item

Notices of Motion - Notice of Motion 3 - The impact of NHS car parking charges on on-street parking near hospital sites in Worcestershire (Agenda item 6)

Minutes:

The Council had before it a Notice of Motion set out in the agenda papers standing in the names of Mr C J Bloore, Mr R M Udall, Mr L C R Mallett, Ms C M Stalker, Ms P A Hill and Mr R C Lunn.

 

The motion was moved by Mr C J Bloore and seconded by Ms P A Hill who both spoke in favour of it, and Council agreed to deal with it on the day.

 

Those in favour of the motion made the following comments:

 

·         To put a stop to car parking charging would provide an opportunity to save money, improve the lives of local residents living near hospital sites and put money back in the pockets of key workers. Car parking charges were a barrier to people parking at hospitals. The Council did not have the resources to address the issues associated with the resultant displaced parking on neighbouring streets. The motion merely requested that the Leader start a dialogue with the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust and the Government Minister to address this issue. It was clear that hospital car parks were not built large enough for future need

·         Displaced hospital parking was impacting on the lives of residents in Warndon and Ronkswood, Worcester. Hospital car parking charges were disproportionately impacting on the less well off. Government funding policies had led to Acute hospitals relying on car parking charges as a base funding mechanism

·         It was morally wrong to charge people with chronic health conditions for car parking at hospitals

·         Even if car parking charges were not removed, a voucher scheme could be introduced for those most in need

·         Bus services to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital were inadequate. Car parking was not free for long term patients. It was subsidised and only one permit could be requested and paid for.

 

Those against the motion made the following comments:

 

·         The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Health commented that there were costs associated with car parks including the purchase of the land, providing adequate surfacing, maintenance and lighting and security. If all car parking charges were removed from the hospitals in the county, the loss of income to the Trust would be approximately £2.6 - 2.7m. In addition, the Trust would still be responsible for the running costs of the car parks which amounted to approximately £2m associated with

·         The Worcestershire Royal Hospital car park was already full and impacted on access to the hospital by public transport. Free car parking would make the situation worse and allow non-hospital users to access the site, which would be difficult to police. Increasing demand without increasing supply was a recipe for disaster. People should be encouraged to make use of public transport

·         People with severe illnesses were able to park for free and patients could request parking concessions at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital. The problem with the car parking at hospital sites was not the charge but the lack of capacity.

 

On being put to the vote, the motion was lost.