The Chair introduced the Conservatives call-in on Emissions Based Charging and reminded Commission Members to please conduct this investigation in a disciplined and professional manner. We must decide whether the matter should be referred back to Cabinet for consideration.

Councillor Daniel Holden was invited to speak in support of the call in and outlined the Conservatives’ reasons for the call-in which are:

• Proportionality
• Respect for human rights and equalities
• A presumption in favour of openness;
• Clarity of aims and desired outcomes;
• Consideration and evaluation of alternatives

Councillor David Dean added further points:

• Pollution does not exceed legal limits in areas that are due to be the most expensive in the scheme.
• Commercial vehicles and large combustion engines need addressing but is not achieved through this policy.
• Residents in Wimbledon and Raynes Park have responded by ripping up their gardens, which will result in dramatically diminished greenery, which is the worst thing for air quality and climate change. 

The Commission discussed the points raised and asked questions of clarification.

In response to a question on possible alternatives, Councillor Daniel Holden suggested that incentives to encourage behaviour such as a low mileage rebate, discounts on parking permits to those who make a switch to electric vehicles within a certain time period and cheaper visitor passes for the elderly have been suggested at scrutiny panels, but not taken up.

In response to points raised the Director of Environment and Regeneration replied with further information;

• Air pollution is top of the agenda nationally and across London and evidence suggests 4000 deaths a year are caused by toxic air/air pollution.
• There have been numerous opportunities for engagement over the year including scrutiny and consultations and adjustments have been made to the policy following recommendations to Cabinet.
• Policy is not geographically focused, it is vehicle focused. High polluting vehicles are owned across the borough.

Councillor Nick McLean raised a motion, seconded by Councillor Ed Gretton, which recommended to Cabinet “The Overview & Scrutiny Commission has heard the feedback of the call-in and is minded to refer back to Cabinet that the emissions-based-parking tax be cancelled”. There were three votes in favour and six against. Motion fell.

Councillor Nick McLean raised a second motion that recommended to Cabinet “The Overview & Scrutiny Commission refers back to the Cabinet that emissions-based-parking charges be postponed until at least May 2022 pending amendments to the policy to mitigate the negative impacts on the elderly, families and poorer residents. This was seconded by Councillor Ed Gretton. There were three votes in favour and six against. Motion fell.

Councillor Paul Kohler raised a motion to refer back to Cabinet to “consider the implementation of a low mileage/low use discount or rebate, on the basis that it is the driving of vehicles that reduces air quality and increases carbon emissions. This would encourage less driving, and would particularly mitigate the impact of higher parking costs for those on low/fixed incomes who can’t afford to switch to newer and more environmentally friendly vehicles”. This was seconded by Councillor Nick McLean. There were three votes in favour and six against. Motion fell.

The Head of Parking Services confirmed work is being undertaken on making the application process for a permit easier.

There was no agreement to refer the matter back to Cabinet for reconsideration.