Decision to be made on whether to charge for parking on Sundays in Staffordshire town

The budget documents agreed earlier this year approved introducing the charge, however, the decision was never fully implemented. As a result, documents state that delay is costing the council £8,300 per month in lost revenue.

Although the decision was agreed at a budget meeting in February this year a petition halted full implementation. The petition organised by former councillor Richard Kingstone called on the council to reverse the decision.

An objection was also raised by Father Andrew Lythall at St Editha’s Church who said that his parishioners would have to pay on a Sunday to attend services. In May the council agreed to investigate the matter further.

Now the Infrastructure, safety and growth scrutiny committee at Tamworth Borough Council are being asked to recommend implementation of parking fees. The report sent to the committee confirms that prior to the decision no consultation was carried out.

Based on current Sunday footfall, officers estimate the charge could raise around £100,000 a year, assuming a £2 all-day fee. However, it states that the impact on footfall will not be known until the charge is implemented.

The report to councillors states: “As part of its overall budget setting, the council approved a new flat £2 fee for all day parking on a Sunday (8am-6pm) in any borough council car park. It is essential that the Borough Council finds new ways of generating additional revenue to continue to deliver front-line services that support the well-being of our communities.”

If the committee signs off on the plans at the meeting on December 4 it will be referred to council leaders in the cabinet for a final decision. Before the charge can be introduced a three-week consultation is required, which could mean the charge is finally implemented at the start of 2026 at the earliest.