This report sets out the results of the subsequent statutory consultation on the on-street pay and display element as well as the outcome of the residents permit consultation and makes recommendations for next steps.

Further to Minute 52 of the meeting held on 20 January 2025, the Committee considered a report on proposals to introduce emissions-based charging (EBC) for on-street parking, resident and all other parking permits across the Borough following public consultation.  The following documents were attached to the report:

·         Appendix 1 - Responses to EBC on-street pay and display charges consultation

·         Appendix 2 - Proposed EBC charging structure for on-street pay and display

·         Appendix 3 - Responses from the EBC permit charges consultation

·         Appendix 4 - Proposed EBC charging structure for permits

·         Appendix 5 - Equality Impact Assessment

·         Appendix 6 - Consultation responses from the March 2025 consultation on permits and pay and display

·         Appendix 7 - Emailed consultation responses from the March 2025 consultation on permits and pay and display

The report explained that a broad informal consultation had been carried out in March 2025 covering multiple elements of the proposed EBC scheme, including resident parking permits, on-street pay and display parking and other permit types.  This had been followed by a statutory consultation for the introduction of EBC for on-street Pay and Display only, carried out between 21August and 12 September 2025, as these proposed changes would require amendments to existing Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs).  The proposed change to parking permit charges was a change to policy rather than to TROs, and as such there was no requirement to undertake a statutory consultation.  A non-statutory consultation had been carried out between 25 September and 16 October 2025, to provide residents with information on the proposals and seek feedback before a final decision was made. 

The report set out the results of the statutory consultation on the on-street pay and display element as well as the outcome of the residents permit consultation.  It outlined the most common themes in the consultation responses and other factors to be taken into consideration.  It was recommended to implement the proposed schemes, as an important part of a mixed approach to bring improvements to air quality over time to Reading.

At the meeting an updated version of Appendix 4 (Proposed EBC charging structure for permits) was tabled which corrected a number of rounding errors in the document circulated with the agenda.

Resolved –

(1)          That the consultation responses in relation to emissions-based charges for on-street pay and display changes be noted, and that the proposed charges as set out in Appendix 2 be agreed;

(2)          That the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Assistant Director of Environmental and Commercial Services, be authorised to make permanent the resultant Traffic Regulation Order in relation to the on-street pay and display charges;

(3)          That the consultation responses in relation to emissions-based charges for Permits be noted and that the proposed charges as set out in Appendix 4 (as tabled at the meeting) be agreed;

(4)          That the Assistant Director of Environmental and Commercial services be authorised to implement the emissions-based charging structure for the list of Parking permits set out in Appendix 4;

(5)          That respondents to the consultations be informed of the decisions of the Committee accordingly.