A wholesale review of controversial plans to introduce car parking charges in North Ayrshire town centres is being urged by two councillors.
Saltcoats member Jim Montgomerie and Stevenston councillor John Sweeney are putting forward a motion before Wednesday’s full North Ayrshire Council meeting, calling for a review of the policy as the cost of living crisis begins to bite.
The motion reads: “In 2019, following the consultation on the council’s budget setting process, full council approved plans to apply for Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) powers and to introduce town centre parking charges to fund the enforcement regime.
“Since that decision, we have experienced a global pandemic and are now facing a cost-of-living crisis which is affecting residents and local businesses.
“Given the changing circumstances facing our residents and businesses, council agrees to pause and review the implementation of DPE and parking charges.”
They want a paper be brought to cabinet to include the following considerations:
- The use of car parks affected by parking charges be resurveyed to review changes in parking behaviours since the pandemic.
- A review of the business case for DPE and parking charges, including revised projections on the cost of parking enforcement and projected income from parking charges.
- A review of the DPE and parking charges policy against council priorities that have emerged since the 2019 decision including but not exclusive to Community Wealth Building and the Regeneration Delivery Plan.
- Engagement with high street businesses on the impact of the pandemic and rising bills on their business and what further impact parking charges may have.
They also seek an updated public consultation on DPE and parking charges considering the cost-of-living crisis and an assessment of the financial implications of delay or revocation of DPE and parking charges.
The motion asks council to further agree that Cabinet is instructed to consider the terms of the report covering the above and decide on whether to continue with DPE and parking charges and if appropriate withdraw the DPE application which is currently with Scottish Ministers for approval.
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
