The Committee received for information a report regarding Runnymede Pleasure Grounds and the first year of operation of the new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) System.  An overview of future improvements to the Pleasure Grounds was also noted.

Officers confirmed that after a delay owing to Covid and problems obtaining hardware and supplies for its installation, ANPR was introduced and went live on 22 March 2021.  The Council used SAGOSS, for which a waiver was agreed with the system costing £50,000 and an annual maintenance fee of £18,000.  These were funded from the Runnymede Pleasure Grounds budget, administered by Financial Services on behalf of the Trust.

Officers reported that there were a few teething issues with the system.  Initially, staff were on-site to assist all the time; this reduced to the weekend in the summer of 2021 and café staff are also a point of contact should visitors have any problems with the machines.

Members noted the current charges were £1.50 for 1 hour, £3 for 2 hours, £4.50 for 3 hours and over 4 hours had a charge of £6.  Visitors had the option to purchase an annual pass for £50.  The first 30 minutes were free which reduced the above charges slightly and visitors were encouraged to use cashless payments, but paying by cash was retained in the interests of accessibility.  Officers advised that 61% of visitors used a cashless payment, 24% RingGo and 15% cash.

Officers were asked to check whether RingGo recognised the first 30 minutes being free as some Members reported it did not appear to take it into account.

With regard to promoting equalities, all blue badge holders could enjoy 3 hours free parking if they pre-booked so that the ANPR would not register a non-payment for their stay.  The Committee agreed that this and the initial 30 minutes free could be better publicised with more prominent signage on site.  It was suggested that ‘Runnymede Talks’ and the local Talking Newspaper service would be appropriate ways of publicising the benefits of free parking for blue badge holders.  Officers confirmed there were also several whitelists such as for members of the skiff and punt club on site.

Members reviewed the income received both before and after the ANPR system was installed, and the effects of the pandemic, lockdown and subsequent lifting of restrictions.  The result was income from the ANPR machines which far exceeded the budget, despite some poor weather in the early summer of 2021.

In terms of visitor numbers, Members were impressed that the ANPR had recorded 44,619 cars between April and September 2021, which according to industry standards equated to approximately 145,581 people.  There were 350 blue badge holders at the Pleasure Grounds making 3,136 visits over a six month period, which equated to an additional 10,442 visitors and excluding the 4,184 visits by people on the various whitelists.

Members noted that the Pleasure Grounds Reserves stood at £251,145 at the end of the 2020/2021 financial year.  Officers confirmed that this would mean making improvements at the Pleasure Grounds could be prioritised over the next three years and reports would be submitted in due course for the Committee to approve the works they would like to see realised.  A priority for the Committee was the upgrading of play equipment and the Splashpark and it was confirmed this was in hand as part of a wider review of play areas and equipment, currently being undertaken by Officers in the Green Space team.

In the context of making improvements, Members also mentioned that the layout at the entrance of the Pleasure Grounds could be awkward and asked if the flow plates could be removed.

Another issue raised was the uses to which on-site CCTV could be deployed which Officers agreed to discuss the Borough Inspector.