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This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Transfer of car parks ownership to private companies and impact on motorcycle parking'.

M Laurent

[email address]

Westminster Parking Services

Customer Relations

Po Box 396

Warrington

WA55 1EL

Assistant Director of Parking:

Kevin Goad

This matter is being dealt with by:

David Whyte

Date: 26 October 2009

Tel No: (020) 7641 1743

Fax no: (020) 7641 1744

Email: [email address]

My ref: FOI/4325/DW

Dear Sir/Madam,

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000: Request for information

Thank you for your request for information, relating to FOI/4325/DW. Parking Services are in process of collating the data you have requested for question 2.

While the City Council aims to respond to all FOI requests within 20 Working Days, I regret to inform you that we will be unable to supply your information within this timeframe.

Please be assured that we will endeavour to respond to you in full at the earliest possible opportunity.

I apologise for any inconvenience this delay may cause you.

You have requested the following information:

I have been informed that a joint decision between Chalkley and Caplan has been made to transfer the ownership of 2 car parks to private companies (the car parks are located in Chiltern Street and Whitcomb Street).

  1. Can you please advise whether Westminster City Council is considering transferring the ownership of other car parks to private hands, and if so, why, when and which car parks may be affected.

  1. With regards to Chiltern Street and Whitcomb Street, was consultation carried out before making the decision to transfer their ownership to private companies? Can I have a copy of the results of any consultation please?

  1. Can you please advise what will happen to the 170 motorcycle parking spaces provided free of charge in these two car parks?

  1. Can you confirm that, when Chalkley granted free parking to motorcyclists in underground car parks from 1st June 2009, he was aware that the ownership of some of these car parks was shortly going to be transferred to private companies?

  1. Can you please advise the date when the first discussion regarding the transfer of ownership of car parks took place.

In response to your request I can advise you of the following:

  1. At present there are no plans for transferring the ownership of other car parks to private hands; however, all car parks are constantly reviewed from an operational and property perspective. If the Council considers transferring or acquiring an element of ownership, such as the grant of a lease, this will generally be following a Cabinet approval and once all statutory requirements have been complied with.

If you require further information regarding these car parks, please contact:

Titan Parking on 0207 534 0834.

  1. With regards to Chiltern Street and Whitcomb Street, As no consultation was undertaken, for the purposes of section 1(4) of the Freedom of Information Act we do not hold the information and, therefore, are unable to provide it.

  1. In regards to the 170 motorcycle parking spaces provided free of charge in these two car parks, as stated, no consultation was undertaken for the purposes of section 1(4) of the Freedom of Information Act the information is not held. I can confirm, however, that the 170 spaces have been deducted from the initial total.

  1. The City Council has a duty to continue to review the use of its assets. At the time the decision was taken to provide free motorcycle spaces no formal agreement had been reached for the transfer to a private company.

  1. In regards to a specific date for first discussions, This has been on going review and acquisition of, or disposal of car parks, or interest therein, and has been on going for a number of years, no specific date can be given. As no consultation was undertaken, for the purposes of section 1 (4) of the Freedom of Information Act this information is not held and we are, therefore, unable to provide it.

If you are not satisfied with this response please set out your reasons in writing and send to:

Customer Relations

PO Box 396

Warrington

WA55 1EL

Phone: 0207 641 1743

Fax: 0207 641 1744

Email: [email address]

Should you still be dissatisfied with the outcome of any such complaint you have the right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner, pursuant to section 50 of the FOIA. The contact details are:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Telephone: 01625-545-700

www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Gordon Deas

Departmental Records Officer