By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
Broxtowe Borough Council’s leadership claims the authority could go bust if it does not scrap free parking.
Fees at three council-owned car parks in Stapleford, Beeston and Eastwood had been one hour free, two hours at £1, three hours at £1.50 and £3 all day, since 2010.
However the Labour-led council controversially scrapped the one-hour free parking in January, prompting concerns from businesses and traders.
Instead of offering an hour for free, short stay car parks now charge £1 for two hours, £2 for three hours, £3 for six hours and £15 to stay all day until 10pm.
An extraordinary council meeting was held on Thursday evening (May 23), where a petition with 3,000 signatures was handed in and opposition councillors called for an urgent and immediate review of the decision.
The Broxtowe Independent Group proposed a motion for a review of parking charges and requests that an inquiry, conducted in public, is set up to consider the adverse impact of the new charges.
Cllr Steve Carr (Ind) said: “In October 2023 a report came to cabinet suggesting a review of charges was now appropriate for the following reasons: Use of car parking was back to pre-pandemic levels, the cost of providing the car parks was £294,000 with income generating of £255,000, leaving a shortfall of £39,000 met from the general fund.
“Due to investment in a new cinema and restaurant complex in Beeston the evening economy had grown and it might be worth considering introducing charges up to 10pm.
“Consider something has grown and then charge them so it actually reduces again? Not very clever.
“Local Beeston businesses have contacted us to say they have seen up to a 70 per cent fall in business.
“Even non-independents such as Costa are saying business is much lower than before January 1.
“How is charging up to 10pm helping restaurants and the Arc Cinema attract new business?
“This is driving people away from independents. Car parking on residential roads has increased, especially around the Chilwell Road end of Beeston. This is causing great inconvenience to many residents.”
Cllr Carr said car parking in January this year dropped by 11,000 vehicles, February by 13,000, March by 13,000 and April by 9,000.
“Footfall in all borough towns is down 25 per cent,” he added.
Cllr Richard MacRae, also of the Broxtowe Independent Group, added: “These changes, though perhaps intended to address financial concerns or streamline operations, have had a significant and adverse impact on our local businesses and vibrancy of high streets.”
Cllr Philip Owen, of the Conservative Group, again proposed an amendment to keep the one-hour free parking and he too called for an urgent review to investigate how the new charges can be reversed.
He had attempted to pass the amendment at a budget-setting meeting earlier in the year, but was unsuccessful.
Broxtowe’s ruling Labour Group argued the motion did not consider the wider issues impacting town centre footfall and that the council had been losing money.
Cllr Milan Radulovic, the leader of the council, said he had not put it on the table due to the upcoming General Election on July 4, and explained no meetings can take place during the pre-election period if deemed to be political.
Instead he proposed to arrange meetings in towns such as Eastwood, Stapleford, Kimberley and Beeston to discuss concerns.
Cllr Radulovic said parking was not the only issue impacting towns and energy costs, the state of roads, inflation and accessibility was impacting footfall.
“One of the big issues we’ve had to deal with in particular is the massive growth in anti-social behaviour,” he said.
“I reject the amendments and the motion simply because they do not cover the comprehensive issues that matter to the viability and access and affordability of a town centre.
“So I would ask you all to reject those, support the recommendations to establish a group of forums across the whole of Broxtowe to discuss with the business sector and service providers about the best way forward – that we can apply for both funding and the new devolved mayor to encourager the growth and development of our town centres.”
He also accused the business sector of not engaging, prompting an outburst from the public. A woman said: “Give us the opportunity, please”.
“We are losing money and we have done for years and years and years,” Cllr Greg Marshall, the deputy leader, added.
“If we are subsidising a service or losing a significant amount of money other cuts have to be made.”
He said Cllr Owen’s amendment could have “bankrupted the council in 10 years”.
He said the council is not immune from the financial challenges experienced in local government across the country.
In a vote, the motion was lost by 15 votes to 25.
The council agreed to initiate meetings to discuss wider issues, including parking, throughout the year.
