Reactions from Wellingborough meeting discussing potential parking charges at council-owned car parks

Currently, Jacksons Lane car park and the multi-storey car park in Commercial Way are owned and run by the Reform-led North Northants Council (NNC), who this month brought forward a proposal to create one ‘standardised approach’ across all car parks in an effort to ‘reduce confusion for users.’

At the meeting, Cllr Bell (Independent) and Cllr Ashton (Labour) introduced a motion to enter into negotiations to transfer the multi-storey car park and the Jackson Lane car park to Wellingborough Town Council, with a budget to maintain them for one year while arrangements are made with NNC for a suitable agreement to run them permanently.

Cllrs Bell and Ashton believe the spaces should remain ‘free at the point of use’ for Wellingborough residents. However, while Labour councillors voted in favour, Reform and Conservative councillors by and large opposed the move.

Cllr Chris Ashton called the rejection ‘a shame’.

He said: “In a time that I believed that most of the council were unified for a common goal, it is a shame that the Tories have shown that they would rather talk the talk without walking the walk.

"There are councillors on Wellingborough Town Council who are trying to do everything we can for residents and I hope that despite the Tories voting against this we will retain free parking.

“Unfortunately for the most part the council supported this motion but the Tories stood with Reform-ran NNC to stand against doing everything in our power to keep parking free for Wellingborough residents.

"The motion didn't end up succeeding but Wellingborough saw whose on the side of Wellingborough residents.”

Currently, parking charges are in effect in NNC-owned car parks in Kettering and Corby, and the council is planning to introduce charges which would cover business rates, utilities, repairs and maintenance, and also proposing a ‘phased investment programme’ to improve the quality, appearance and functionality of the council-owned facilities.

Cllr Raz Koriya (Conservative) called Labour’s plan ‘a significant financial and operational commitment.’

He said: “The suggestion that our vote was somehow a vote against free parking is disingenuous and completely misrepresentative of what actually occurred.

“To begin negotiations before establishing the full facts, figures, liabilities, and whether residents even want the town council to take this on would be irresponsible.

“It also risks creating a commitment without first establishing whether it is financially viable or could simply result in residents facing the cost through another form of local taxation.

“Before agreeing to take on these assets, we therefore proposed an amendment to consult residents on whether they actually wanted the town council to do so, while establishing the exact costs, liabilities and financial implications.

“We are not prepared to make promises to residents, commit public money or enter negotiations without first knowing whether the proposal is wanted, affordable and deliverable.

“If responsibility for these car parks were transferred to Wellingborough Town Council, residents deserve to know exactly what that would mean financially.

"What condition are the assets in? What liabilities would transfer? What would the ongoing annual cost be after the proposed first year? And would the cost ultimately fall on Wellingborough residents through the town council precept?

“We will fight to make the case for free parking and encourage as many residents and businesses as possible to respond to North Northamptonshire Council's consultation once it is released so that the views of Wellingborough are properly heard.

“Free parking is the objective. Responsible decision-making is how we get there.”

Cllr Jon Ekins (Conservative) called the motion ‘insanity.’

He added: “There’s no way Wellingborough Town Council can take over any of these assets, it will bankrupt Wellingborough Town Council.

“It’s inevitable that we won’t have free parking. It will happen, it doesn’t matter if you’re against it.

“It’s insanity, the idea of taking over the car park.

“They have to bring us in line with Kettering and Corby, it has to be harmonised.

“It’s pretty clear car park spaces aren’t going to fill the financial black hole.”

The draft parking strategy is set to go out for public consultation.

And at this stage, Reform-led North Northants Council has said no final decisions have been made on parking in NNC-owned car parks.