A report by the Director of Neighbourhood Services informed Members of  options to be considered for the reintroduction of the current car parking charges policy in Wirral in 2020/21 and alternative options for parking charges in 2021/22 and beyond.

Simon Fox, Assistant Director: Highways and Infrastructure, stated that in a normal year, the Council would receive £35,000 a week, but at current levels of parking of 40%, income would be around £14,200 and if charges were re-instated approximately £300,000 income could be achieved.

Many Members expressed concern at the prospect of re-introducing charges at a time when Covid cases were once again on the rise and many local businesses were struggling.

The Director of Resources commented that the loss of income from parking charges would not be able to be offset against any future possible capitalisation directive which the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government were being asked to approve, and that Members would need to ask officers to bring forward alternative savings to offset this.

On a motion by Councillor Jeff Green, seconded by Councillor Julie McManus, it was -

Resolved (16:1) - That:

(1)  this Policy and Resources Committee agrees not to re-introduce car parking charges at this time; and

(2)  authorisation is given to the Director of Neighbourhoods to consult on the implications of the medium to long term options detailed in Appendix 1 of the report and a further report is brought to the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, as a matter of urgency, in the new year, with a particular emphasis on social inequalities and that in the meantime officers seek to find compensatory savings and that business traders are also consulted.