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

Thank you for your follow up request for information, relating to FOI/4732/CR. You have stated and requested the following:

Please can you advise when a decision will be made with regards to the future of the motorcycle parking tax in Westminster? In other words, when can we expect Cllr Chalkley to finally make his mind up as to whether he makes the tax permanent or not. Please could you also state the reason for the severe delay in making the decision, which should have been made back in August 2009, per the council's timetable?

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

After the announcement that the City Council planned to make the motorcycle scheme permanent in May 2009, the making of the permanent traffic orders necessitated a further formal consultation period, ending in July 2009; the submission of a formal report to the Cabinet Member for City Management; outlining of the formal objections received; subsequent recommendations for the making of the permanent traffic orders were also included. This report was issued in October 2009. However, before announcing a decision, with regard to the making of the orders, the Cabinet Member conducted a series of meetings with some of the major motorcycle groups to discuss the scheme. This necessitated the submission of a supplementary formal report, which covered further points raised. This supplementary report was issued in December 2009 and we are now awaiting the Cabinet Member to announce his decision.

The supplementary report was formally released and placed on public record on 21 December 2009.

The Cabinet Member will most likely announce his decision within the next month. Therefore, the implementation date will either be 18 January, 25 January or 4 February 2010 at the latest, when the experimental orders lapse.

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

Departmental Records Officer