Councillors decided against the policy in Blackwood, Caerphilly borough, after a council officer said it would be to the detriment of shoppers
A proposal for free Christmas parking in a Welsh county has been voted down due to fears of spaces being “clogged up”. The idea for Caerphilly county came from Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge, who argued free parking at council car parks from mid-November until early January would encourage shoppers to support high streets.
After learning of a provisional £600,000 underspend in part of last year’s revenue budget, Mr Etheridge suggested the money be used to cover a free Christmas parking policy, similar to that confirmed recently in Newport.
But several councillors, including Caerphilly council’s new leader Jamie Pritchard, warned against making spontaneous spending commitments.
He claimed Covid-era free parking policies had thrown up “significant problems”, especially in Caerphilly town centre where there were complaints of workers parking in spaces all day.
Councillor Donna Cushing suggested a compromise measure offering an initial two hours of free parking – something Mr Etheridge said he would support.
But Mr Pritchard said this would be a case of “making policy on the hoof”, adding there was not enough financial information available to councillors.
Nelson councillor Sean Morgan asked council officers whether the new proposal would lead to better footfall in town centres or would risk spaces “being filled and blocked for the day”.
Senior officer Mark S. Williams said the council’s experience of Covid-era free parking was spaces becoming “clogged up” to the detriment of shoppers.
Mr Pritchard argued free Christmas parking would not be a fix-all for wider pressures faced by high street retailers.
He said committing to funding the policy “on the hoof” should not be “the way we proceed”.
The council’s finance director Leanne Sykes said she would “advise against making decisions without the financial implications” being known.
Senior officer Marcus Lloyd added the proposed policy would be “close to a six-figure sum”.
“We are still looking at a deficit unless things turn around – if you can make savings, you’ve got to do it,” said Newbridge councillor Gary Johnston.
The proposal was “comfortably defeated” in a vote, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.
