Let's get car parking charges right

7.15.49pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 16th Jul 2009

Dear Sir,

I decided to attend the meeting of the Environment and Prosperity Scrutiny Committee on 8th July to see how the process works in the new council. The councillors were discussing the controversial issue of introducing car-parking charges in the former Borough of Congleton. This was because they had called in The Executive decision to implement these charges so they could review it and make suggestions to improve it.

This is a complex issue complicated further by £375,000 from its implementation appearing in this year's budget. It is clear that in its haste to apply the charges The Executive of Cheshire East has not fully considered the differing needs of the various parts of the former Borough. In addition, the proposals do not adhere to the strategy that in turn is based on a substantively flawed report.

During the meeting, it became apparent that the portfolio holder is prepared to consider local circumstances at least in Alsager and Holmes Chapel. What we need however is a complete overhaul of these charges across the whole of Cheshire East. This must take into account the likely effect on small and local traders in the present difficult economic climate.

The Executive should delay deciding on its proposals until it completes this review even if this means there is a gap in its budget. It is also important that it prolong the consultation period beyond the holiday period to allow adequate time for all interested parties to participate. Rather than continually revising a faulty policy over time let us get this right from the start.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Peter Hirst

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Congleton