Parking charges 'another thing to worry about'

A council which is planning to make £30m of cuts said it would not be able to set a balanced budget without "making difficult decisions".

Warrington Council is proposing to make savings in a number of areas, including closing one of its recycling centres and introducing parking charges.

People in the impacted areas have raised concerns, with one retailer describing parking charges as "another thing for small businesses to worry about".

Denis Matthews, the council's cabinet member for finance, told a meeting of the authority's cabinet he understood "the strength of feeling" and that "no one wants to remove a service or increase a cost".

"It may not feel like it, but compared with other councils we're doing well," Councillor Matthews said.

"Many other councils have had to apply for exceptional financial support which allows them to borrow, and six councils have been given permission to raise council tax without the need for a referendum."

These include two neighbouring councils - Trafford is increasing council tax by 7.5% while Cheshire East has asked the government for exceptional financial support for two years in a row.

Among the proposals to save £30m this financial year includes the planned closure of the recycling centre in Stockton Heath, and removing some free parking changes in some areas.

These include Lymm where the first hour free will be axed, and Stockton Heath where a current system of free parking after 3pm is to be replaced with a new evening tariff.

In Stockton Heath, there's concern over the plans.

"I think anything south of the [Manchester] Ship Canal, the council aren't interested in," said one man.

He added that he thought parking charges were a "stupid idea".

"We need to encourage as many people to come into town to shop as possible, and by parking charges people aren't going to do that, the high street needs our help," he said.

And those working in local businesses also had concerns

"I just think it's harsh," said one retail worker.

"I understand the council have to make cut backs and things are tight but not to have some kind of, not necessarily free, but reduction or more lenient cost is harsh".

Carole McIntyre, who set up two businesses in the village which are now run by her daughter Kate, said the charges were "another thing for small businesses to worry about".

She has lived in Stockton Heath for 35 years and said her husband had been a campaigner for free parking, which has reduced over the years.

"I just think it's a shame," she said.

"Constantly we're fighting against online buying so we like to give everything, so it's just another problem."

At the meeting, leader Hans Mundry said before the meeting he had received a petition of 4,041 signatures from people living in Lymm and Stockton Heath about the parking charges.

He also highlighted that the council had not needed to issue a section 114 - which is when a council is effectively bankrupt - unlike some other authorities in the country, such as Birmingham.

He also said the council was changing, after concerns raised in recent years about its levels of debt.

A government inspection was ordered at the authority, with the findings not yet published as the inspection period was extended.

"We've turned the council around in a different direction, and are steadily moving forward with less dependence on borrowing," Councillor Mundry said.

"We're doing quite well, we're in the right direction taking onboard all the professional advice from government officials to change the way Warrington operates and be no longer dependent on borrowing," he said.

The council will sign off its budget formerly at a meeting on 24 February.

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