Council scraps parking charge plan until 2015
The Labour administration at North Lanarkshire Council has scrapped plans to introduce car parking charges until at least 2015.
At last year’s budget meeting it was announced the council was looking to raise around £300,000 a year by asking motorists to pay up to £2 and £10 a day in its long and short stay car parks respectively.
Council leader Jim McCabe said: “A number of developments have happened since we started the consultation on car parking.
“Firstly, our excellent work with SPT has been ongoing to increase car parking provision at stations in Bellshill, Shotts and Motherwell.
“Secondly, there has been a 26 per cent reduction in capital grant from the Scottish Government. The start up costs for car park charging would be considerable, so we have to prioritise in accordance with that reduced allocation.
“What that means is that this Labour administration will not be introducing car parking charges for the duration of the current Scottish Government budget settlement.
“Charges will therefore not be introduced in 2012/13, 2013/2014 and 2014/15, subject to the Scottish Government’s confirmation of their indicative settlement for the latter two years.“
A further proposal to cut grants to voluntary sector organisations has also been shelved.
Councillor McCabe added: “We are all conscious of the vital role the voluntary sector plays in helping the people of North Lanarkshire.
“Particularly important are the advice services needed to deal with the horrendous impact of the Tory-led coalition’s welfare reforms.
“That is why the Labour administration has decided that we will not be pursuing the four per cent reduction in funding to voluntary organisations amounting to £295,000 so that we can help that crucial work to continue.
“I have no doubt that these decisions are positive for the people and businesses of North Lanarkshire.”
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Friday 25 May 2012
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There are 2 comments to this article
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momus
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 12:01 PMNow the charges have been deferred I wonder if the Council will still proceed with building a Council staff only car park on the site of the old Cathedral Primary School? Given they have no money this would be a complete waste of time, especially as they consider it to be a 'temporary' measure until the market improves and they can sell the site as surplus to requirements. What, just like the old Dalziel Annexe site across the road from Asda which is currently on the market??? No consistency at all. And doubling the Council house programme to 1000 houses for £150m? For that money they should be building 1500 houses. Obviously not very efficient with their capital programmes - every project they do runs over budget and programme (time). Concert Hall, Regional Sports Centre, Town Centre upgrade, Demolition of Glencairn Tower, Dalziel building........ Millions squandered.
auchrannie1
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 06:51 PMCancellation of the implementation of parking charges ? Cancellation of cuts to the voluntary services? Doubling of the council house new-build programme? Could it be we are seeing a more benevolent side to North Lanarkshire Council? Or is it more likely that these actions have been taken by councillors who are terrified at the prospect of losing their seats at the Council election in May????
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