Council set for re-think over car park move - The Worcester Observer

Council set for re-think over car park move

Worcester Editorial 13th Jan, 2019   0

CONTROVERSIAL proposals to introduce parking charges at Worcester Woods County Park will be examined by county council chiefs after calls from a leading city councillor.

Members of Worcestershire County Council’s Overview and Scrutiny board will meet on Monday (January 14) to discuss the proposals following a plea from Labour’s Coun Richard Udall.

The St John’s councillor triggered the ‘call in’ procedure to put the brakes on the plans which were revealed by council chiefs in November in an attempt to raise £140,000 a year.

Under the plans, the first 15 minutes parking would be free, rising to £1 for one hour, £2 for two hours, £3 for two to four hours and £7 for more than four hours.




But the proposals have now been halted under the board examines the issue in detail.

“I do not believe the correct procedures were followed by the council when it decided to implement the charges, no consultation took place and no consideration of alternative suggestions were made,” Coun Udall said.


“I repeatedly asked the cabinet member responsible to refer the issue to scrutiny so more work could take place, she ignored my requests.

“I therefore felt I had no alternative but to gain the support of eight other county councillors to make a formal request,” he added.

Councillors from Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Greens have all supported Coun Udall’s request and the St John’s councillor called for further work to be carried out on the plans.

“Ideally I would like to see the Scrutiny Board establish a task and finish group, a select committee of councillors from across the political divide, to investigate the proposal,” he said.

“To hear from objectors from local residents, user groups and affected local businesses. To examine the costs of pay and display machines and enforcement, and to consider alternative suggestions. The council will need to justify their proposals and explain in public why they have made such a wrong decision

“I want to find a compromise, one which can be supported by all sides. I hope we will now have an opportunity to stop, look again and reconsider,” Coun Udall added.

 

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