Equality assessment

Title	Increase parking charges in Rother
Team/Department	Parking, Transport Operations
Directorate	CET
Provide a description of your proposal	To introduce more consistent charges for parking and permits across our Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) areas. To do this, charges in Rother District need to be increased, and permit charges adjusted to be based on vehicle emission levels. These changes to charges took place in Eastbourne Borough and Hastings Borough in July 2020 to bring the charges in line with those in Lewes District. Rother charges were excluded at the time because we were going through the process of implementing CPE in the district, which did not go live until September 2020. Management of on street parking helps to support some of the aims of the Local Transport Plan. Parking charges are set at a level to encourage the use of lower polluting vehicles and using more sustainable means of transport where possible. For those that need to use a private vehicle, long term parking is encouraged in car parks with on street parking being used for short stay parking to support business and trade. Long term on street parking is available for residents within the parking scheme, with permits priced according to vehicle emissions.
Engagement undertaken or planned	None.
Potential issues / barriers / impacts / opportunities			Notes and any mitigating actions
Age Those people of working age who must drive to work and park in an area of the CPE scheme where charges apply, may be more impacted than other car users. Retired people may have less disposable income to be able to pay the increased parking charges, but also have access to free bus travel. Rurality Those people who have to drive and park in a CPE area, where charges apply, may be more impacted than others who are within walking distance or have better access to public transport services. Carers The increase to parking charges and permits will impact some care givers: those that are eligible for and use the carers’ permits available will pay more. Equally, we are also aware that there are some carers that do not qualify for or use permits to park. Therefore, if parking where payment is required, they will be impacted by the increase in parking charges. There are no impacts identified that would impact other protected characteristics.			All We will give notice of the increase in charges and write to existing permit account holders. Age Free bus travel will remain available for those eligible. Rurality We will give notice of the increase in charges through public notice in the local press. Carers Permits will still be available to eligible individuals and organisations that provide care. Residents that buy visitor permits for their care givers to use may be able to buy these at a reduced charge and or have an additional allocation of permits in certain circumstances. Disability This will not impact blue badge holders. Blue badge holders can park for free with a valid blue badge in a large proportion of the parking bays.
Summary of impacts and actions planned, with timeframe
Impact		Action		Timeframe
Age		Advertise price change in the local press by public notice.		Advertisement will take place 21 days before the change comes into effect.
Rurality		Advertise price change in the local press by public notice.		Advertisement will take place 21 days before the change comes into effect.
Carers		Advertise price change in the local press by public notice.		Advertisement will take place 21 days before the change comes into effect.