The Act Part 7 - Workplace Parking
404.Part 7 of the Act gives local authorities the power to set up workplace parking licensing schemes. The licensing schemes can require those responsible for premises providing workplace parking places to seek a licence for the provision of those parking places. A local authority may charge for this licence.
405.A local authority has wide discretion in how it sets up a scheme, ranging from the area covered, the times it will apply, what vehicles it will cover, the application of local exemptions and the amount of the licence charges payable on licences. There are national exemptions in respect of parking places at hospitals and other qualifying NHS premises, hospices and for the exclusive use of the holders of specified disabled badges.
406.Where a local authority is considering a workplace parking licensing scheme, it must carry out a detailed local consultation and local impact assessment. This consultation must include details of the scheme, including the annual licence charge.
407.Funds raised by the scheme can only be spent on the costs of administering the scheme or activities facilitating the achievement of policies set out in a local transport strategy. It is not mandatory for a local authority to prepare a local transport strategy, but where they propose a workplace parking licensing scheme, they will be required to have one.