It even has its own logo:
After the recent rubber-stamp, by the Bristol Council Cabinet, here are the grim details of the new Residents Parking Scheme. Notably absent from all the documention: the word “Pilot”.
The first permit for each household will cost £30 per annum; the second permit will cost £80 per annum. In exceptional cases where a third permit is issued, it will cost £200 per annum.
That’s equivalent to a 7% rise in council tax for a Band D property with two cars, or 4% for a single-mum in a Band A property with one old banger. But if she spends £14,000 on a brand new “low carbon, high smug” Polo, she’s quids in.
- Each household (as defined in 1.1) can apply for up to 100 visitors’ permits per annum.
- Each visitors’ permit will be valid for one day.
- The first 50 permits will be issued free of charge; subsequent permits will cost £1 each.
The mickey-mouse financial analysis (see Appendix 5) from the council suggests that two-thirds of the running costs will be derived from income other than selling permits. And all of the first 5 years surplus will be used to cover the up-front capital costs (although inflation and the time-value of money don’t rate a mention).
Now I can’t work out how the Parking Services team have arrived at a break-even figure over 5 years, so my official view is that this scheme is “unsustainable” as the bureaucrats say, and exists only as a means to an end; to expand parking control over the rest of Cotham, Redland and Clifton in vainglorious pursuit of the mythical car-free city, so beloved of middle-class policy wonks (apart from me).
Business Permits
Bristol City Council continues to build on its reputation as a great place to do business by placing the following constraints on businesses operating in the zone:
- 1.1.Businesses located in the defined Residents’ Parking Scheme area can apply for a business permit.
- 1.2.These permits will only be issued for a vehicle essential to the operation of a business during the course of the working day. Permits will not be issued to vehicles used for commuting to or from work.
- 1.3.Each business can apply for one business permit at a cost of £100 per annum.
- 1.4.A business permit will not be issued if the business has access to off-street parking of any kind.
- 1.5.The applicant will need to provide proof of their business address and a declaration of the use of the vehicle for and in the course of business. A copy of insurance documentation showing that the vehicle is insured for business purposes will also be required.
- 1.6.The applicant must supply the vehicle registration document (V5). If the document is not in the applicant’s name then the applicant must also supply a signed letter from the registered keeper confirming that they are authorised to use the vehicle. If the vehicle is a leased vehicle, then an official letter from the leasing company stating that the vehicle is leased to the applicant’s employer must also be supplied.
- 1.7 Credit will only be given if the applicant is aged over 75 and accompanied by both parents.
One of those is a joke. See if you can guess which one.
