Decision made on overnight parking charges for Shropshire market town

Overnight parking charges in Oswestry will not be introduced at this time, although they could still be considered in the future.

The proposal was first put forward earlier this year and, if approved, would have introduced a £1.20 overnight fee at three car parks operated by the town council – Central, Smithfield and Horsemarket.

However, following a backlash from residents and businesses, councillors agreed in March to suspend the proposal and bring it back to the council six months later.

The issue returned to the agenda at a town council meeting on Wednesday, September 9.

In a report, councillors were told there is “considerable work and expertise” involved in changing parking tariffs. This is one reason the council has only increased charges once during the four-year election cycle.

The cost of introducing the overnight charge would be around £7,000, excluding VAT and officer time. This would cover legal fees, advertising, signage and updating parking machines.

Town clerk Arren Roberts said there were differences of opinion over how much revenue overnight parking charges would generate.

An additional £10,000 in income would require 23 payments every night, while 115 payments per night would generate £50,000.

“I've tried to cover it from different perspectives with the information and data as we have it,” Mr Roberts said.

“What I would note is that our reliance on car park income is well documented, and our budgets cannot be uplifted year on year. Two-thirds of this council's income will be static in the future, so those are the sorts of risks the council is facing.

“But the report sets out the budget position as it stands now, the requirements, some challenges and the costs, and it's for you to discuss and debate accordingly.”

Councillor Mark Roberts (Carreg Llwyd Ward) said residents had faced six months of uncertainty, adding that there would be knock-on effects if the proposal was approved.

Councillor Richard Elmitt (Cambrian Ward) said there were several issues for the council to consider, highlighting that the main car park would soon need resurfacing at an estimated cost of £500,000.

He proposed that the council acknowledge concerns over the plans and recognise that the debate around overnight parking charges had highlighted wider issues.

Councillor Elmitt asked the council to resolve not to introduce overnight parking charges at this time and instead undertake a comprehensive strategic review of its car parking policy, with any future changes considered following a public consultation.

His motion was seconded by Mayor Councillor Jonathan Upton (Maserfield Ward).

While Councillor James Owen supported the motion, he said there was a weakness in the council's procedures because it could not raise car parking charges if needed.

“I think it does pick up the issues raised by members of the public, but also picks up the issues that have been thrown into the spotlight by the fact that there are elements that town councils should be able to put up tariffs,” Councillor Owen said.

“There are clearly logistical reasons why we can't do that, therefore that does require investigation. So, if there is a need in two or three years' time to put up parking charges, we know the legal standing and how to enforce it.

“As for enforcing, if we go back to 2018, we did have 24-hour charging at the full rates with, as far as I am aware, no different to enforcement levels that we do have today.

“So, we've actually gone backwards. We've made no savings.

“I support not having 24-hour at the same charging, but feel it is disingenuous to say that it is impossible to have overnight charging with the current enforcement methods.

“There are issues here that just need to go through a strategic review, and a much deeper look than effectively having to apologise. I'm not going to apologise for us putting these issues into the spotlight.”