In a dramatic last-minute decision, Wirral’s outgoing Cabinet has agreed with demands from the Conservative Councillors to delay the reintroduction of parking charges on the Borough’s high streets and country parks.
The Cabinet had announced a plan to reintroduce charges from 3 August but, at tonight’s meeting of the Environment Committee, the decision was scrapped.
The decision was ‘called in’ for further scrutiny by Councillor Jenny Johnson and the Conservative Group, following concerns that charges could be the final nail in the coffin for a still-struggling high street.
Councillor Johnson said: “I would like to thank those traders and shop keepers who have contacted me since this decision was first published.
“It’s clear that parking charges are a drag on our local economic recovery. The Cabinet’s decision to halt their decision will be a relief to many of our small businesses.”
Any reintroduction of parking charges will now be considered by the Council’s new, all-party Policy & Resources Committee that is being introduced from September 2020.
Councillor Tom Anderson, Chair of the Environment Committee, added: “Thanks to the actions of Councillor Johnson and her colleagues, Wirral’s economy will be given a bit more breathing space after tonight. There are jobs, apprenticeships and, of course, future Business Rates, that are depending on a recovery.”
