It will surprise most people that the government gets revenue from the Waitrose and George Lane car parks – and every other Wiltshire Council car park in the county. And that money comes directly from the money you pay to park.
Currently, the government charges Wiltshire Council £847,000 a year in Non Domestic Rates for its car parks, a cost that is entirely paid for by car park users.
As part of its review of car parks, Wiltshire Council is asking the government to consider giving up these rates they charge on car parks so residents can pay less to use them.
Councillor John Thomson, the cabinet member for highways and transport, has written to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles MP to make the request: “The Department for Communities and Local Government has been vocal in promoting better and cheaper parking so I hope they will carefully consider our request.”
Wiltshire Council’s car parking consultation launched on October 27 and the outcome could see a move away from the current charging policy. Options have been put forward based on individual car parks or town assessments.
These options take into account factors such as usage of car parks, location, as well as looking at the wider economic and environmental issues. This approach gives the council greater ability to manage local car parking demand and supply.
The review also looks at a number of charging options, including first hour free parking, free after 4pm, Sunday charges, or evening charges as ways to allow people to make more and more convenient use of local shops and services.
The consultation is in two stages. The strategy document and 14 town profiles were available from October 27 for people’s comments. On Monday (November 10) the survey and charging summary will go live. The consultation will remain open until January 16.
The consultation papers can be found here
Remembering together – Andrew Studdert-Kennedy on remembrance and on poppies
