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From January, Caerphilly County Borough residents will have to pay to park in council-owned car parks, following a decision by senior councillors.
Since June 2020, parking in council-owned car parks has been free, with the aim of boosting town centre trade following lockdown restrictions.
Cabinet approved plans to bring car parking charges back at a meeting on Monday, September 26. Visitors will now be charged 40p for the first hour of parking, and the remainder at the existing tariff.
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
Disabled badge holders will be eligible for two hours of parking for 40p – therefore an additional hour.
The changes will effect all the town centres in the county borough: Bargoed, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Newbridge, Risca and Ystrad Mynach.
In its report, the council estimated that choosing option one would result in an annual income loss of £83,000. Additional funding for the highways services budget was approved, to meet the shortfall.
Car parking charges in 2018/19 showed a total income of £652,124 and costs of £257,130. This money is put back into operating the car parks and employing enforcement officers.
Findings of the cross-party car parks task and finish group were presented to the joint scrutiny committee on July 28, when the reintroduction of charges was backed by members.
Despite the reintroduction of charges, the council is not going to be recruiting any additional enforcement officers to monitor town centre car parking. At the scrutiny meeting, council officer Clive Campbell said the council would be relying on existing resources.
Independent councillor Kevin Etheridge has previously called for parking charges to be abolished, “especially given the cost of living crisis”. His request to voice his opinion at the Cabinet meeting was “respectfully declined” by the Leader, Cllr Sean Morgan.
Cllr Julian Simmons, the council’s cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: “We’re pleased to announce that car parking will remain free over autumn and the busy festive period, which we hope will encourage more people to shop locally.
“As a Cabinet we have taken many factors into account when considering proposals for car parking charges, including the views of residents and businesses. During the consultation process, the availability of parking spaces was raised as a concern in some of our town centres; an issue which has been exacerbated in areas by the removal of fees. By reinstating charges this should alleviate some of these problem areas, whilst the implementation of a reduced initial hourly rate will ensure parking remains affordable for those wishing to visit our towns for shorter periods.
“The income generated from fees is also essential in enabling us to continue maintaining our car parks and wider highway network.”
The charges were unanimously approved and an impact report will be presented to scrutiny in January 2024.
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