Minutes

Councillor D. Fouweather asked:

Last week, Bridgend County Borough Council committed to extending free parking in its council owned car parks to help businesses. Retailers and traders. This would incorporate several key towns such as Bridgend, Porthcawl. Maesteg and Pencord. Caerphilly council have also done the same.

We are in challenging times economically. Businesses in Newport’s city centre urgently need all the support they can get to help them recover as we pull out of the pandemic.

Will you commit to reinstate free parking in all Council run Car Parks including the Kingsway Centre?

Councillor R. Jeavons responded:

Fees and charges for all council services, including car parks are set annually and were agreed by full council seven weeks ago.

Income generated from car parks contributes £1.76Million towards frontline services. If this income was removed, then equivalent cuts in frontline services would need to be found or council tax increased by a further 3%. We do not support either alternatives.

Additionally, the city centre enjoys excellent public transport links, with both bus and rail linking directly into the city centre.

With current levels of car usage accepted as being unsustainable and expected to rise, together with the Councils commitment to carbon reduction, it is important that car travel is not subsidised at the expense of more sustainable alternatives.