Major update on overnight parking in Shropshire market town

Introducing overnight parking charges in Oswestry will again be discussed this week.

Last March, councillors agreed to suspend the controversial proposal, and look at it again in six months' time following a consultation.

The car parks operated by Oswestry Town Council - Central, Smithfield and Horsemarket - were set to be extended until 8pm, on top of a 20 per cent rise in the fees. An overnight fee of £1.20 was also going to be added.

That caused widespread anger among residents and businesses, with some community groups worried that they would be forced to close.

Following the backlash, the then Mayor of Oswestry, Councillor Rosie Radford, called an extraordinary meeting on March 4.

She said she was asking the council to consider suspending the introduction of overnight parking from 6pm “to allow for the issues raised to be considered, alongside a wider review of tariffs.”

She added that the matter will be brought back to council after six months.

The town clerk, Arren Roberts, has therefore produced a report for councillors consider when they meet on Wednesday (September 9).

Mr Roberts said "there is considerable work and expertise" in changing the tariffs, which is one reason why the council has only increased charges once during the four-year election cycle.

The cost is around £7,000, excluding VAT and officer time, which covers legal fees, advertisement, signage, and updating machines.

"Car parks are operated under orders which are in need of a full review as theyhave been varied several times in recent years (including removing the 24 hourtariff) and council will need to ascertain specialist legal advice to support thisprocess," said Mr Roberts.

"This would also need to pick up the legal powers / orders to operate Oak Street Car Park following its return to Oswestry Town Council in 2029.

"It is prudent not to set out the current approach to enforcement, times, etc;however staffing numbers, and therefore costs, were not increased upon theintroduction of Sunday charges.

"It is not possible to enforce the parking orders under current resource and operations over a 24 hour period and therefore additional resources are needed or a different approach is required.

"Issues such as lone working will need to be factored into any business case.

"Officers do wish to look at procedures and practices for car parkingenforcement including legal action."

Mr Roberts added that there are differences of opinion as to how much money overnight parking would generate.

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

"It is unknown whether this is achievable and there will be costs associated with enforcement," said Mr Roberts.

The town clerk said there are many arguments for and against increasing tariff period.

"There is an argument to say that there should be some calibration ofthe proportion of income brought in by the precept v car park income," said Mr Roberts.

"That said, the potential replacement of council tax could mean that parish councils cannot set a precept and this potential change is a challenge for the wider sector.

"Council will be mindful of the public interest in the matter and the need toengage with them, although a consultation exercise needs to be carefullyplanned and considered.

"There is a need to consider the resources needed to manage such a consultation and balance that against other priorities for the council."