Car Parking Review; statement for EDP by Breckland Council Chief Executive Terry Huggins
Car Parking Review; statement for EDP by Breckland Council Chief Executive Terry Huggins
My recommendation to Breckland Council that they should consider reaching a better understanding of the potential of introducing car parking charges comes at a time when the Council faces financial challenges greater than any they have ever faced before. Over the next five years the Council will need to either cut its spending by £3,500,000 or else increase its income from Council Tax or charging for services. Most likely a combination of savings and increased income. Although the Council knows the reasons why public sector spending has to reduce nevertheless the decisions it will be faced with will be tough and unwelcome. Against this background the Council needs to be armed with the facts to allow it to make sound decisions. For this reason the implications of charging for car parking are to be investigated. It will be for the elected members to chose how and from where the saving in public expenditure will be made. My aim is to ensure they have before them the best information on the available options.
Car Parking costs at Breckland are in the order of £300,000 a year. There is no such thing as free car parking rather the issue is who should pay the cost. The general tax payer or the car user? It is a coincidence that this investigation is occurring at the same time as Mary Portas has produced her report on the high street. This is fortunate as it will allow the Council to take into account the recommendations which she makes. In the report she points to good examples of charging by Swindon and Chester where charging structures have been used to support the retail town centre. She also talks of transparency of car park charges and how the income is used, which is a principal that Breckland would support as part of its own core values.
Terry Huggins
Chief Executive
Breckland Council, Norfolk
South Holland District Council, Lincolnshire
