A PETITION signed by thousands of objectors has triggered a heated debate on the decision to raise car parking charges in the borough.
Receiving more than 4,000 responses, petition organiser Cllr Keith Baker called it “one of the largest expressions of disagreement on a change ever received”, during the latest council meeting (November 17).
Cllr Baker, alongside other Conservative councillors, have been critical of what they call “exorbitant” increases, after plans to more than double off-street car park charges next year more were approved by Wokingham Borough Council.
Wokingham Conservatives have raised concerns about the lack of a public consultation prior to the decision being taken, as well as the potential impact raising charges could have on local businesses and residents as the cost-of-living crisis bites.
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Cllr Charles Margetts said the decision is “against the best interests” of residents and businesses across the borough.
He added: “[…] shops, restaurants and businesses in our town centres, now more than ever, need the council to create an environment that encourages people to visit our town centres.”
Increasing the charges from January will raise about £500,000 for the council, however, due to an £800,000 shortfall in parking revenue, there would still be more than £300,000 outstanding.
Executive Member for Active Travel, Transport and Highways, Cllr Paul Fishwick, said: “Without taking urgent steps to close the gap, we will need to raise additional income or cut services and the latter could impact on the most vulnerable.”
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Some councillors also questioned whether those residents who signed the petition were made aware what the consequences would be if car parking charges weren't raised.
Cllr Imogen Shepherd-Dubey pointed out that the council is still facing an estimated £4.6m deficit in the revenue budget for next year.
She said: “If we do not cover this gap […] we will no longer be able to function as a Council. The government will have to step in, all our services will be cut, and our residents will be paying much more for just very basic services for years to follow.
The council later voted against the petition, leaving the leader of the Wokingham Conservatives, Pauline Jorgensen, “astonished”.
She added: ”I am now calling on the Council’s Executive to reconsider its disastrous policy.”
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Council leader Clive Jones said he “understands” why so many had supported the petition and assured residents that “no one wants to put up parking charges” but the council finances are “not in a good place”.
“I have spoken to many who say they don't like the increases, but they understand why they have had to go up.”
Parking for up to one-hour will now go from 80p to £1.30 (a 62.5 per cent rise), whilst up to two hours will more than double from £1.20 to £2.50 (a 108 per cent rise), up to four hours from £2 to £4.50 (a 125 per cent rise), up to six hours from £3 to £6.50 (a 117 per cent rise), and over six hours from £4 to £9 (a 125 per cent rise).
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