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Question from: County Councillor Iain McIntosh Subject: Blue Badges
Question:
During today’s full Council meeting (22nd February 2024) I expressed my concerns about the Liberal Democrat and Labour coalition’s proposals to introduce parking charges for blue badge holders. I said;
It is important to consider what the Liberal Democrats have said in the past about charging blue badge holders to park as we consider their latest proposal. During the previous term of Council, Liberal Democrat and Labour councillors posted social media stories about the then Conservative and Independent administration running this council – of wanting to introduce charges for blue badge holders.
Of course, this never happened, it was never going to happen. It was another example of left wing scaremongering for political gain.
At the time, Cllr Pete Roberts said –
“The Powys County Council Conservatives want to end free
parking for War Pensioners, those with the highest level of
disability and the blind. We think these groups should be protected
not used as easy cash by the Cabinet.” He encouraged the
public to “Tell them what you think of their plans.”
and goes on to say “LibDems and Greens urge residents to
oppose Tory attacks on the disabled.”
As mentioned, it never happened. But now the Liberal Democrats and Labour are in power, they want to introduce the very charges they previously described as ‘attacks on the disabled’, ‘horrible’, ‘disgusting’, ‘hurting people with disabilities’ and encouraged the public to sign a petition against it! 1. Where is your petition now? Cllr Pete Roberts recommended I ask Jane Dodds about this, I have done that and await a response. 2. Have you asked the legendary Rob Davies what he thinks now? 3. Considering what you have said about this in the past, can you please explain how you can possibly justify introducing these charges now?
Could you respond to questions 2 and 3 above please?
Following on from this, given that charges for Blue Badge holders are now set to be introduced, could you please confirm the expense associated with modifying car park ticket machines across Powys to allow disabled access, along with any other initial costs? Furthermore, could you provide assurance that the expected revenue for the Council (£100,000) will exceed the costs involved in implementing this decision?
Minutes: Response by the Cabinet Member:
As you are aware Powys County Council has recently approved its budget for 2024-25. This budget was particularly difficult following the less than hoped Revenue Support Grant [RSG] settlement we receive from the Welsh Government and increased costs from rising inflation meaning there is a significant funding gap to maintain the current level of service across all departments. The funding gap between the RSG and the Councils required budget increases yearly meaning we have to look at new ways to create a balanced budget by either cuts to services, improving efficiencies or increasing income. The situation we are now under is different to previous years and this has resulted in difficult decisions being made.
Regarding the cost to implement this, 49 pay and display machines are already accessible but it is estimated that we will need to undertake minor works to the remaining 8 machines to make them fully accessible at an estimated budget cost of £25k. In addition, the signage will be replaced which has been planned for some time but been delayed due to changes in prices previously and currently we are awaiting the review of the Parking service to be concluded. When any recommendations for the review are implemented, we will programme the sign replacement which is estimated at £30k. It is intended that funding for this could either be from within the existing budgets of the service or through the councils capital fund.
Since the blue badge holders will receive an additional hour to the expiry time of the ticket when displaying the blue badge, there would be no requirement to alter the actual pay and display machines.
We have done a quick search on what other authorities do across Wales and checked two authorities in England just across our border. We have found the situation remains like that of 2018 and both Hereford and Shropshire charge for blue badge holders.
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