Village car parking charges “illegal” claim

WARRINGTON Borough Council’s decision to boost annual income from car parking charges at Lymm and Stockton Heath by £212,000 was illegal.

The claim comes from a parish councillor who is now demanding an internal review of the borough’s decision-making process.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Anna Fradgley says if she does not receive satisfactory answers from the borough’s legal department she will have no option but to take the matter to the Local Government Ombudsman.

She has already made a number of Freedom of Information questions and says she is appalled by the poor information given to the borough’s parking task group last July when they decided to abolish the one hour free parking option at Lymm and Stockton Heath.

The task group were given no information on how the parking charges would affect traffic congestion, nor on how they would affect local trade.

Cllr Fradgley said: “This contravenes the Traffic Management Act 2004, which says that ‘Consultation and communication are the foundation of a fair and effective parking policy’.  As a minimum, local authorities should consult the police, businesses, residents, motorists and the general public.’”

However, the task group did receive information about the budget details for last year and the financial targets for 2016-17.

Cllr Fradgley said the Traffic Management Act stated that parking charges should not be used as a local tax.  Their main use was to improve transport provision in the area so that road users would benefit.

But it was clear that the borough council was using income from the Lymm and Stockton Heath car parks to subsidise free car parks in other parts of the borough.

“I have written to the legal department requesting a review into how the decision was made, the legality of using cross-subsidisation income and the democratic process involved.  I have copied in the council’s leader and chief executive and our MP.

“If I am not satisfied by the response I will have no option but to take the matter to the Local Government Ombudsman.

“In summary I want the one hour free parking to be re-instated on all the car parks as soon as possible and the ‘free after 3pm’ to remain.

The council must find the cost saving by charging across all its car parks.”