Introduction of councillor parking fees “deferred” until next year

The introduction of parking charges for councillors has yet to be implemented – with its introduction deferred until the next financial year.

Occasionally seen as a hot potato and a controversial topic by members of the public, there have been calls for the free car parking for councillors and some council staff to be revoked for several years.

Currently around 495 employees, including senior officers and councillors get free parking at certain council owned town centre car parks for the “purpose of carrying out council business”.

However in recent years and in light of ongoing budget cuts there have been growing calls from the public to scrap the free parking scheme for councillors.

The scheme has also been challenged by Trades Unions and employees about the “perceived inequality”, with other town centre based staff expected to make their own personal parking arrangements.

A consultation carried out last out autumn found that a proposal to scrap the free parking perk had received the highest approval rating from members of the public. Details of which can be found below:

In May 2018 Wrexham.com reported that executive board members had voted in favour of moving forward with the principle of scrapping the freebie scheme and introducing an option that would be available to all town centre council staff and 52 councillors in a quest for ‘equality’.

Instead the free parking initiative would be replaced with the introduction of a £100 annual permit – costing around 28p per day.

It is estimated that this could make revenue savings of £49,000 .

However a report presented to full council last Wednesday stated that the implementation of staff and member parking fees has been deferred until 2019/20.

Speaking at the meeting leader of Wrexham Council, Cllr Mark Pritchard reiterated that there had been a commitment at the executive board that there would be a decision and announcement before the next financial year.

The report also shows that there is an overspend of £243,000 in terms of car parking – an increase of £69,000 on the previous year.

This includes the “projected net income achieved from Enforcement activities has been reduced by £46k for 2018/19 whilst service under review” and “the revocation of free parking for disabled blue badge holders (£25k)”.

Incidentally, as we have previously noted the free parking for members of the public who are disabled / blue badge holders was successfully revoked, despite the ongoing struggle to do the same for councillors.

A further income loss of £23,000 is also expected due to the additional free parking event which have taken place this year.

Earlier this year councillors on a scrutiny committee had a chance to scrutinise the figures – however stayed silent (our report, and tumbleweed gif here).

Wrexham.com has also noticed that the potholes in the car park used at times exclusively for staff and councillors has had its potholes fixed recently:

Some great news – the Councillors free car park has had the potholes filled! Where next?! 🤓 pic.twitter.com/R9Wc45LeH2

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 14, 2018