Dudley free parking debate loses out to the Black Country flag and protecting local pubs
Dudley Council missed an opportunity to consider bringing back free parking after time ran out at its last meeting.
At full council on December 1, councillors were set to discuss a Notice of Motion proposing a report for the authority’s leaders on income since charges were introduced and the impact of one hour of free parking.
The motion, from The Black Country Party’s Cllr Matt Cook, was set for a possible amendment from the council’s ruling Conservative group supporting free parking but it was not discussed because time for debate ran out.
A total of 30 minutes is allowed for debates on Notices of Motion and discussions on the Black Country flag and protecting local pubs used up the available time.
Cllr Cook’s motion blamed other political parties for the charges which he believes are hitting high street trade.
The motion said: “The majority of shops on our high streets are independent shops owned by local people.
“They provide a good service and do an honest day’s work, but this Conservative council and the Labour government are determined to price them out of business.
“Other boroughs in the Black Country are charging just £0.60 an hour in some car parks and on street parking. We must bring back the free parking period to help support our local businesses.”
The proposed Conservative change revealed they believe they may have gone too far when charges were introduced.
The Tory amendment said: “The provision of free car parking for the first two hours in council owned car parks was ended in October 2024.
“Since then, it is clear that the number of people using our car parks has reduced significantly, with greater numbers now using alternative parking places in our town, or not visiting them at all.
“At that time, the proposed new parking charges were submitted to a scrutiny process, which resulted in no recommendations to change the proposed charges.
“However, this council and the administration recognises that these charges were too high, and regrets having to introduce them in the first place.”
Had the motion, with or without the amendment, been debated and approved the council’s cabinet would get a report including an analysis of the impact of one hour of free parking and a £1 charge for the next hour-and-a-half.
The motion will now go onto the agenda for the next full council meeting which is currently scheduled for January 29.
