Pay to park? Mixed views over free perk for Wolverhampton council staff
'Disgusting! - that was the view of a senior cabinet member as one of her colleagues outlined plans to scrap free parking for council staff and elected members in Wolverhampton.
Councillor Sandra Samuels, cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, spoke out against plans to charge councillors and staff up to £200 a year to park in the city centre at a meeting this week.
At present, councillors and almost 500 staff benefit from free parking, but bosses at the cash-strapped authority want to ditch the perk in a bid to save £300,000.
Addressing a meeting of the Labour-led authority's cabinet resources panel, the city's environment chief Councillor Steve Evans, said: "I see no reason why councillors should not pay to park.
"I would like our cabinet to support the recommendations."
But in response Mrs Samuels shook her head and said 'disgusting!', a remark she then repeated when Mr Evans asked her directly for her support. She was not available to elaborate on her comments.
The plans, which will go out to consultation with staff and trade unions, are set to be brought in by October.
The majority of councillors spoken to by the Express & Star were in favour of paying to park, although there was disagreement when it came to the topic of charging council staff.
Tory leader Councillor Wendy Thompson, who represents Tettenhall Wightwick, said: "Residents have to pay for parking when they come into the city, so I see no reason why councillors should not live by the same rules.
"We all have allowances. I do have sympathy for staff who need to use a car to get to work. Some of them will no doubt start to park further out of the city centre, which will put added pressure on parking spaces in some areas on the outskirts of the city."
Councillor Milkinder Jaspal, who represents Heath Town for Labour, said the plans needed to be looked at in more detail. "I think that councillors should pay, but not in the way that has been proposed," he said.
"We receive an allowance so the extra benefit of free parking is perhaps something that could go in the current climate of savings.
"But I think the system should be 'pay as you go', where councillors and staff pay a set amount for the time used.
"This would a be fairer than having a lump sum fee."
Councillor Judith Rowley represents Blakenhall for Labour and is also responsible for sustainable transport across the city.
She said: "This is a sensible policy. It is quite in order to expect councillors to pay for parking and the same applies to staff.
"Those who own a car have a choice. They can use public transport, cycle or walk. No one is forcing them to drive into the city. It's also a known fact that we have an obesity problem in Wolverhampton that the council is trying to address. As a council how can we make cutbacks to important services and still expect to park for free?"
Under the plans staff will pay £200 a year for a permit providing they meet a new business criteria.
Councillors will pay the same fee to park on the ceremonial car park. The permit will also allow parking on any council car park in the city when on council business.
