The fight to lower Surrey Heath car parking charges is far from over, as Liberal Democrat Councillors did not accept to change their car parking strategy at the Full Council meeting held earlier this week.
Cllr Alan Ashbery, Lib Dem Portfolio Holder for Homes, Planning & Enforcement, was dismissive in his approach to the recent public surveys, which together had garnered over 2,000 signatures, suggesting that this figure was low in comparison to the total number of car users within the Borough.
The Council's administration put forward a motion, with no advance warning to Councillors from other groups, which thanked the petitioners for raising the issue, but stated they would just continue with their current strategy. They suggested that questions in the survey did not include specific reference to the high costs of repairs required for the Council's car parks. Much of the repairs referred too relate mainly to the Main Square car park in Camberley town centre.
This dismissive nature continued when an amended motion proposed by Cllr Jonathan Quinn that called for the usage of car parks and the increase of price increases on local businesses to be reviewed and monitored at regular intervals, was similarly turned down by Lib Dem councillors.
The reasons for voting this down, despite receiving support from Conservative and Independent councillors, were not entirely clear. Instead, Lib Dem councillors referred to date on car park usage which Councillors of other parties had not had the opportunity to see. As Cllr Jonny Cope stated:
"It is impossible to hold the Council leadership to account if data is withheld in this way. Unfortunately there is, in my view, a continuing trend of the Council’s leadership not being transparent and avoiding accountability through withholding information."
The stance taken by the current administration is in conflict with overwhelming evidence submitted from local residents and businesses, who argue that the current strategy has:
- Lowered the footfall and revenue of local businesses
- Lowered the quality of life of residents in Surrey Heath
- Pushed some of the residents away from Surrey Heath for shopping to neighbouring boroughs
The strategy will be reviewed after November and April next year.
Pictured, the Full Council meeting held at Surrey Heath House
