LIB DEMS 'CALL-IN' MAYOR'S PARKING METERS DECISION

2.14.01pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 1st May 2008

The Conservative Elected Mayor's controversial and unpopular decision to install parking meters has been 'called-in' by the Liberal Democrats.

The 'call-in' procedure means that the Mayor's decision is put on ice until the Council's Overview and Scrutiny Board reviews his decision.

The Councillors who signed the 'call-in' are: Alan Faulkner, Christine Carter, Roger Stringer, Ruth Pentney, Ian Doggett and Steve Darling.

The reasons given for the 'call-in' are:

Reasons for call-in

Paignton has been hit hardest by the Mayor's proposals. Paignton's town centre economy is suffering from job losses and out of town shopping and is reeling from the recent loss of the Chartered Institute of Waste Management Conference. Now Paignton's economy is to be hit by parking meters. With the parking meters in Paignton being for short term parking only, and four of the long term car parks being lined up for development under the mayor's vision, there are fears that the lack of long term car parking will further drive trade away. What is the vision for parking in Paignton?

No business plan was presented to the Cabinet on 22nd April 2008. Members remain concerned about what alternative plans are in place if the parking meters do not bring in the revenue that is forecast and that charges will have to be high to ensure the viability of the scheme. It would also be useful to know the driving force behind the implementation of parking meters - is it to increase footfall in town centres or to increase revenue to the Council?

There are concerns over the £400,000 the Mayor is borrowing for the installation of the parking meters, especially with the council already in debt to the tune of £18 million. Assurances are needed over whether the Council can afford to borrow more. The Mayor has failed to advise Councillors if he needs to use all of the £400,000 earmarked for parking meters.

What is the money raised from the parking meters to be used for? There are conflicting messages from the Conservative administration. The Mayor says that the money is to be spent on Rock Walk and making up any losses on the concessionary bus fares. The Cabinet member for 'Planning for the Future' says that the money is to be spent on upgrading the car parks.

The Liberal Democrats have been undertaking their own public consultation. The vast majority of the respondents are against the introduction of parking meters, and want the Mayor to think again.

The Cabinet meeting when the Mayor made his decision was held at a time when members of the public who work or run their own businesses and will be affected by the parking meters were less likely to be able to attend to make their views known.

Councillors were denied their right to speak (under Standing Order C7.2) despite indicating that they wished to speak and make representations on behalf of their constituents.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group Councillor Steve Darling said: "Many people have told me that the Mayor's decision to introduce car parking meters to Torbay was not done in the most democratic manner for such a controversial item. A number of serious issues and concerns that should have been discussed have not been, so we have instigated the 'call-in' in order that the Mayor can be properly held to account for making decisions in such a cavalier way."