Free parking promised at Caerphilly County Borough Council car parks

The ruling Labour group on Caerphilly County Borough Council has fired the first shot in the battle for next year’s elections in May, with the promise of no charges at council-owned car parks.

Parking has been free at council car parks since June last year – a move designed to boost trade in town centres following the lockdown impact of coronavirus.

The council’s cabinet will review the waiving of charges formally at a meeting this September, after another extension was granted earlier this year – but the Labour group have gone further and will head into May’s local council election with a pledge to offer free parking until at least the end of September next year.

What is Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet?

A council’s cabinet is made up of councillors in charge of different policy areas – such as education, environment, local economy, etc – and a leader.

It is separate to the council’s corporate management structure, which is headed up by its chief executive and various directors. Cabinet is made up of councillors, who are elected and have the ultimate say.

Typically, cabinet members are councillors from the party with the most elected council members.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet is made up of:

Cllr Sean Morgan (Nelson) – Leader
Cllr Jamie Pritchard (Morgan Jones) – Deputy Leader; Prosperity, Regeneration and Climate Change
Cllr Nigel George (Risca East) – Corporate Services and Property
Cllr Eluned Stenner (New Tredegar) – Finance and Performance
Cllr Carol Andrews (Gilfach) – Education and Communities
Cllr Shayne Cook (Morgan Jones) – Housing
Cllr Elaine Forehead (Van) – Social Care
Cllr Philippa Leonard (Risca East) – Planning and Public Protection
Cllr Chris Morgan (Machen and Rudry) – Waste, Leisure and Green Spaces

Corporate management is made up of unelected employees of the council and has responsibility for day-to-day management of services, such as making sure the bins are collected. Corporate directors work with cabinet members to come up with policy which is then agreed upon by the cabinet.

_{Last updated October 13, 2023}

Cllr Philippa Marsden, leader of the council and of the Labour group, said: “I’ve listened to businesses and residents, and I’ve agreed to act decisively to ensure we give a clear signal to the community that we will continue to waive car parking charges in our council-owned car parks in our town centres.

“It’s right to make this decision now, so we offer certainty to traders and members of the public that there will be no charges in the run up to the Christmas period and way beyond.”

Cllr Jamie Pritchard, deputy council leader and cabinet member for infrastructure and property, added: “We look forward to engaging more with traders over the coming months to discuss more ways we can support the business community.”

The Plaid Cymru group has previously argued for the extension of free parking and its leader Cllr Colin Mann welcomed the pledge.

He said: “Whatever we can do support town centres is very welcome.”

However, Cllr Mann added that in Caerphilly town centre’s Twyn Car Park, spaces were being taken up throughout the day. He said the issue had been raised by local ward members and needed addressing.

Last month Independent councillors called for the free parking to be made permanent.

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Labour fires the first shot in council election battle with free parking pledge

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