Following last night’s Full Council meeting (see a round-up of our live updates), Cllr Dave Stewart, leader of the Conservative Group, criticised the ruling Independent Group’s consultation plans as inadequate,
He said,
“It’s clear that the Independent Group is running scared of Island opinion. There is a groundswell of public anger at their attempts to either increase parking charges or introduce them.
“There is very strong opposition to many of the suggested proposals in the consultation.
“Conservatives have highlighted the importance of having an Island parking strategy which is both fair to residents, supports local businesses and our town centres.
“The Independent Group has now acknowledged the need for a strategic review and we will support them in that work.
“Unfortunately, at the Full Council meeting, the Independents gave us no clear vision of why they may be planning to significantly increase parking revenue in a piecemeal way.
“We need to be supporting Island businesses and town centres, not hitting them, which is why the previous administration froze charges for six years.
“Independents pledged to promote high streets and not to penalize motorists. They risk failing on both counts.
“Let’s have a strategy that guides effective and fair decision-making, not hurting Islanders.”
Image: compujeramey under CC BY 2.0
