Parking charges set to rise by 25 per cent (From Gazette & Herald)

Parking charges set to rise by 25 per cent

RYEDALE district councillors plan to balance the books this year by increasing car parking charges by 25 per cent, closing public toilets, pruning the price of grass-cutting and cutting the running costs of tourist centres.

At an extraordinary meeting of the full council on Monday, chief executive Harold Mosley explained that the council's spending power was £6,804,000 and that expenditure was £7,141,000, so councillors had to determine savings to make up the £337,000 shortfall.

Councillors agreed to increase car parking charges across the board by 25 per cent, which will raise £177,000.

Coun Keith Knaggs said the car parks were used equally by visitors and residents. He said: "Ryedale residents have available to them extremely attractive discounts which they really ought to be taking full advantage of.

''Nevertheless, I think we are at a point where we are profiteering fairly shamelessly. I don't believe that we can pull this sort of stunt again in future years."

Coun Elizabeth Shields said she had spoken to the Ryedale area commander, Inspector Neil Burnett, who was worried about the charges causing "displacement of vehicles on side streets which are up to saturation".

Coun John Clark said increasing charges across the board was to "take the agricultural approach and hit it very heavily and very hard with a large hammer". Coun Clark said the council should look at modern ways of raising money through car parking charges using "smartcards".

A number of councillors disagreed that charges should be introduced to St Nicholas Street car park, Norton, and a decision was deferred until consultation was carried out.

Coun Allin Jenkins said that it would double the cost of using the pool. He said: "We've just had £300,000 spent on the refurbishment of Derwent Pool. In order for people to attend that pool, in particular people from rural areas, then they need to come by car, and they need to park."

Councillors agreed to re-tender for grass cutting with North Yorkshire County Council at a "realistic" rate to save £20,000. Coun Howard Keal said he feared "hacking off" this budget would lead to "scruffy verges looking unkempt and unloved".

It was agreed that public toilets at Wentworth Street car park, Malton, and Staxton Brow should be closed to cut costs and that officers should examine the benefit and usage of those at Church Street, Norton, Rosedale and Town Farm, Kirkbymoorside. The decision will save the council £7,800.

Coun Nelly Trevelyan said: "I think it's anti-old people, anti-young mothers and anti-everyone else who's crossing their legs."

Coun Jenkins raised concerns about what would happen to the disused toilets, saying they could be a target for graffiti and anti-social behaviour.

Councillors approved a motion to look into developing relationships between Tourist Information Centres at Malton and Helmsley and other businesses so they could share buildings and cut costs, saving £36,000.

Coun Howard Keal said tourism in Ryedale was worth £150million a year, there were 600 tourism businesses and 3,299 full-time jobs created by tourism, so therefore the council must continue its support.

Coun Clark proposed a motion that the council should gradually reduce its funding to the tourism to nothing over the next three years and that the industry be given the opportunity to take over Tourist Information Centres. The motion was lost.

Coun Helen Schroeder vigorously defended the Ryedale Festival, which members were considering cutting the £25,000 grant to. "It's a real star for Ryedale - it's something we are up there doing with the best," said Coun Schroeder.

Coun Elizabeth Shields said it would be "totally stupid if we deny funding it."

Councillors decided to maintain the grant but review the strategy behind all other grants they make.

An alternative budget was suggested by Coun Paul Andrews. Among other measures he suggested setting up a personnel sub-committee with the task of reducing staff by at least £210,000, and cash should be taken out of the interest on the council's reserves.

He agreed that the grass cutting budget be pruned, was against car parking charges being increased except for excess charges, suggested the £50,000 repairs and renewals reserve be struck from the recycling bid and said Malton Tourist Information Centre should share an office with the Malton and Norton Initiative.

The council has been told by the Government to make efficiency savings and put the money back into front-line services.

It had been given a target of £88,000, however last night members voted to make cash savings of £125,000.

This £125,000 in efficiency savings, together with the increase in car parking charges and other saving measures proposed, add up to £365,800.

After the meeting, finance officer Trevor Anderson said that the local government finance settlement was not yet finalised, so the council's income was not yet determined.

Decisions made at the meeting will be referred to the policy and resources committee meeting on February 10, which will then propose them to the full council meeting in March where they will be rubber-stamped.

Before the meeting a member of the public, Audrey Milestone, asked when people would be able to have their say on the budget proposals.

Council chairman Coun Brian Maud said residents could have their say at the policy and resources meeting on February 10.

Updated: 14:15 Wednesday, January 19, 2005