Lib Dems challenge own potential parking charge hikes

Six Liberal Democrat councillors have collaborated on a bid to challenge a decision by their own cabinet member that could allow parking fee hikes of up to 50 per cent

The decision last month means that on-street parking charges would be allowed to rise by as much as half again on high streets across Devon.
Councillor Dan Thomas, the cabinet member for highways at Devon County Council, made the decision last month.
As a county councillor, his decision impacts on-street parking charges only, because council-run car parks are the responsibility of district councils.
Although the maximum 50 per cent hikes are only being proposed in parts of Ilfracombe and parts of Totnes according to documents available on the council’s website, the six councillors have raised concerns about it.
Rises in some parts of Exeter could mean hikes of between 40 per cent – 48 per cent.
On-street parking charges have not been reviewed since 2022 by Devon County Council, and part of the rationale for reassessing them is to make sure that tariffs for stays of more than an hour are “at least equal or higher than equivalent off-street tariffs to encourage parking in longer stay car parks, reducing the recirculation of traffic, minimising traffic congestion and improving air quality”.
But six councillors from across the county – Rosie Dawson (Dawlish), Caroline Leaver (Barnstaple South), Alan Connett (Exminster and Haldon), Ed Tyldesley (Chulmleigh and Landkey), David Cox (Teignmouth), and Syed Jusef (Barnstaple North) – have called the decision in.
That means it will be scrutinised by the corporate, infrastructure and regulatory services scrutiny committee.
The group’s rationale for their opposition is stated in an agenda for next week’s meeting (Wednesday 22 October).
This is on the grounds that “pay and display fees/charges see increases of up to 50 per cent in charges in some communities”.
“At a time when traders are struggling and businesses are closing, increasing the cost of visiting areas to contribute to the local economy seems counterproductive,” the group states. 
“Increases may be necessary, but it is felt these can be fairer, more considerate of local needs and not as substantial in one hit.”