SCC Determined to go ahead with Parking Charges

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 Update on Introduction of Charges for On-Street Parking

Following the huge public outcry against the blanket introduction of charges for on-street car parking across Surrey, an electronic petition was raised to ask that the proposals be withdrawn. In roughly a month, 26,300 e-signatures were added to the petition, which forces Surrey County Council to hear the petition formally presented and debate whether to accept its recommendation or not.

The debate was held today (May 10^th) and the arguments in favour of the petition, notably:-

1. the lack of a detailed business case,
2. that it would be harmful to many small retail businesses across Surrey’s towns and villages,
3. that it would penalise local residents popping to the local shop for a pint of milk or a paper,
4. the likely adverse impact of “displacement” parking as drivers park for free in nearby residential roads,
5. that the so-called “default” position of 30 minutes free parking is not supported by the vast majority of local shops and – by the Administration’s own admission – such a concession would make the proposals financially untenable

were all well put. Despite this the Leader of the Council argued that they were listening and the consultation process was still under way. Their plan at present is to introduce the charging arrangements with the initial 30 minutes free for commercially sensitive areas, although there was no clue given as to how such places might be defined. The Administration’s main argument seemed to be that they needed the money.

A recorded vote was taken and whilst Resident Group County Councillors including Tom Phelps-Penry (Walton Division) voted in favour of agreeing the petition’s demands, Conservatives, such as Tony Samuels (Walton South and Oatlands) voted against the petition.  Given the sizeable Conservative majority on the County Council, the petition was voted down.

It seems particularly unfortunate at a time when “localism” is being promoted by politicians in Westminster as flavour of the month that Surrey’s Conservative Administration should push through such ill-defined proposals which could have been withdrawn and reformulated with detailed financial analysis following proper consultation with local traders and residents in the towns and villages across Surrey. Their action today simply indicates a willingness to ride roughshod over public opinion and use their political party whip to ensure a majority of Councillors vote in favour of the line taken by the Conservative leadership.

It looks as if detailed decisions as to exactly what charges will be introduced and when, will be delegated down to Local Committees and local traders and residents will have to make their case afresh in these local forums.

Cllr Chris Sadler 

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