Agenda item

9.26pm – Councillor Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler moved, seconded by Councillor Andrew Dinsmore, the special motion in their names:

“This Council welcomes the announcement made by the leader of the Administration, ahead of the May 2022 local government elections, that a Labour administration would reverse parking charges.

This Council endorses comments made by the Leader on 14 April that “the parking charge increases were a mistake at the time and they are even more of a mistake now that the pandemic has eased. I want to apologise for getting this wrong and promise that we will get it right if residents hire us again to run the Borough.” This Council notes that this U-turn took place several months after the Conservative Opposition had themselves pledged to reverse increases to parking charges if elected.

This Council welcomes the bipartisan agreement that a reversal of the parking charges increase is the right thing to do. However, this Council notes with concern that, over two months since the elections, this has not yet happened. This Council therefore calls upon the Administration to provide a clear and detailed plan of how and when these charges will be reversed.”

Speeches on the motion were made by Councillors Brocklebank-Fowler and Dinsmore (for the Opposition).

Under Standing Order 15(e)(6), Councillor Wesley Harcourt moved, seconded by Councillor Omid Miri, an amendment in their names:

“Delete all after “This Council…” in line 1 and add:

Reaffirms the commitment in the Labour Party 2022 Manifesto ‘Rising to the challenges of our times, together’ to “…introduce emissions-based residents’ parking, which will reduce parking fees for many residents and include free parking for clean vehicles outside of high-volume neighbourhoods and rush hour and school-run traffic.” The Council notes that the cut in parking charges will be introduced after the summer and is a part of the Administration’s measures to help residents deal with the cost-of-living crisis.

This Council also notes that when in office, the previous Conservative Administration (which many current opposition councillors belonged to) raised record amounts from local and visiting motorists by:

·      Increasing parking fine limits by 50% in 2007

·      Ending free visitor parking on bank holidays over the Christmas period in 2009

·      Increasing visitors’ parking charges by 55% in 2010

·      Increasing residents parking permit charges by 20% ion 2010

·      Budgeted to introduce a 14.7% increase in parking charges in 2014”

Speeches on the amendment were made by Councillors Harcourt, Miri, Schmid, Coleman, Homan, Cowan, and Ree (for the Administration) – and Councillors Lloyd-Harris, and Karmel (for the Opposition).

The amendment was then put to the vote.

FOR                        32

AGAINST                10

NOT VOTING         1

The amendment was declared CARRIED.

Councillor Brocklebank-Fowler then made a speech winding up the debate before the amended motion was put to the vote.

FOR                        32

AGAINST                10

NOT VOTING         1

The amended motion was declared CARRIED.

10.07pm – RESOLVED

This Council reaffirms the commitment in the Labour Party 2022 Manifesto ‘Rising to the challenges of our times, together’ to “…introduce emissions-based residents’ parking, which will reduce parking fees for many residents and include free parking for clean vehicles outside of high-volume neighbourhoods and rush hour and school-run traffic.” The Council notes that the cut in parking charges will be introduced after the summer and is a part of the Administration’s measures to help residents deal with the cost-of-living crisis.

This Council also notes that when in office, the previous Conservative Administration (which many current opposition councillors belonged to) raised record amounts from local and visiting motorists by:

·      Increasing parking fine limits by 50% in 2007

·      Ending free visitor parking on bank holidays over the Christmas period in 2009

·      Increasing visitors’ parking charges by 55% in 2010

·      Increasing residents parking permit charges by 20% ion 2010

·      Budgeted to introduce a 14.7% increase in parking charges in 2014