This Tuesday - 15 September, 6.30pm, Civic Offices
Some of you will be aware that the Council has been reviewing residents' parking policies in two ways: the rules for allocating permits in permit zones, and the way in which the Council manages the process.
A meeting of the Environment Scrutiny Panel this Tuesday (15 September) at 6.30pm will give these issues their first hearing. It is a meeting which allows a semi-informal way for residents to raise their views (it is always better to inform the Chair of the meeting first).
On the rules for allocating permits, the problems caused by lack of parking space in Katesgrove (particularly in the Southampton Street/Pell Street/Elgar Road areas) are the worst in the whole borough. Serious thinking is required about finding solutions to difficult problems.
Gareth and I have been highly critical of the way both parking permits and parking enforcement are administered. While the Council reports make out that all is well, we have seen the independent report that is one of the background papers, and that is more critical of an approach that lacks customer focus, is highly bureaucratic and often ends up in a 'computer says no' answer that drives residents up the wall.
We will be arguing on Tuesday for radical change to the system. Given that we know a lot of you feel very strongly about this, we wanted to invite you to attend the meeting. If you wish to speak, please let us know or the Chair, Cllr Ricky Duveen, direct at ricky.duveen@reading.gov.uk.
You can read the meeting papers and find out more at:
http://www.reading.gov.uk/councilanddemocracy/committee/committeelist/meeting.asp?id=SX9452-A783FB23&committee=19265
We hope to see you there - if Katesgrove residents are there to put Katesgrove's case at the meeting, that should have a significant effect.
