The Lindley Lib Dems have branded Kirklees Council’s plans to drastically hike parking permit fees as “unfair” and have launched a petition in response.

In August this year, the council revealed plans to increase residential parking permit charges by over 200%. Currently, residential parking permits are provided for a one-off fee of £15, while ‘open visitor’ permits are provided free of charge.

Under the new plans, the council will introduce an ‘administration charge’ of £50 annually for all types of parking permits. In addition, the council had previously offered free permits for electric vehicles which allowed free parking in all pay and display areas, but this has been abolished and an annual charge of £150 introduced.

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Lindley ward councillor, Cllr Cahal Burke, says that a number of residents have contacted him and his colleague, Cllr Anthony Smith, to express concern about the proposals. Currently, around 5,200 people across Kirklees have a residents’ parking permit, hundreds of whom live on roads around Huddersfield Royal Infirmary within the Lindley ward, and will be affected by the plans.

Cllr Burke, who has campaigned against the council’s plans to up fees in previous years, said: “We have launched a petition, as we feel that the increase is unfair and punishes residents who are already facing huge pressures in the cost-of-living crisis.

“We shouldn’t be forcing residents to pay more to park legitimately outside their own homes. Furthermore, a permit does not even guarantee a parking space. The hike will effectively victimise people based on where they happen to live.

“We feel that it’s an outrageous hike and it is not fair and will hit our residents hard. The council should reflect on concerns raised by our residents and residents across the district. They need to think about the impact this will have, especially in the current economic climate.

“Furthermore, introducing a charge for visitor permits will have a particularly negative impact on the elderly, disabled and ill, as it could encourage social isolation and increase the risk of injury and death. It would also make the jobs of social care providers, carers and family members much harder.

“I understand that the council is experiencing huge financial pressures, but are there not other areas of enforcement where they could focus their attention, such as illegal fly-tipping, littering and car owners who violate permit parking rules and park illegally? I am very concerned about how this decision was taken. It should have been a matter for debate at full council.”

His ward colleague, Cllr Anthony Smith, said: “Currently, if a household has two vehicles, they would be expected to pay £30 in total. However, under the new plans, they would need to pay £100 in total annually, plus £50 for a visitor pass. Over five years, this would be £750. How can this be justified?

“Many residents have already contacted us to express their concern and there seems to be a lot of uncertainty and a lack of transparency. Recently, residents received letters from the Council to advise them about the changes and to encourage them to share their views, but is the council genuinely consulting or is it a tick-box engagement exercise?

“Some of our residents also want to know what the annual administrative charge covers. The council has informed them about plans to implement virtual permits in future, but how this work for visitor permits, for instance. If residents are expected to pay more, does this mean that there will be better enforcement and more regular patrols in permit parking areas or will the money simply be used to plug the council’s financial gap? Under the new plans, permits will be issued annually, but some residents are concerned that this will result in more bureaucracy.”

The decision to apply annual charges for residential and electric vehicle permits was taken by one of the council’s strategic directors in October this year, with approval from a cabinet member. The lack of involvement by elected members prompted criticism from Cllr Martyn Bolt (Con, Mirfield) who questioned the role of councillors in the decision-making process.

The council has since issued letters to residents to notify them about the proposed changes and to invite them to provide feedback before the scheme is implemented. Residents who wish to comment have until Monday, December 11.

A link to the Lib Dems’ petition against permit parking charge increases can be found at: https://bit.ly/Permit23

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