Last week, Conservative Councillors called-in the Labour-run Calderdale Council's policy to increase Parking Charges across the Borough. The call-in meeting allowed Conservative Councillors to scrutinise Labour's policy to increase Parking Charges across the Borough, with Halifax, Brighouse, and Hebden Bridge to face increases of 100%.
The Labour-run Council's policy to increase Parking Charges across the Borough confirms that they lack the basic business principles and economic knowledge to understand the detrimental effect this policy will have on the Borough. This is further supported by their disastrous policy in 2021 to extend Parking Charges from 6 pm to 8 pm and to include Sundays in many popular areas.
At the call-in meeting, Conservative Councillors argued the increases would reduce footfall and residents' spending power, bringing adverse economic effects and potential job losses which would threaten the viability of struggling retail businesses.
Conservative Group Leader, Councillor Steven Leigh, said the increases are "unacceptable and demonstrated a total disregard for people struggling to get by in Calderdale."
While Councillor Joe Atkinson illustrated that this policy is "a further attack on car users and local businesses".
In the call-in meeting, Councillor Steven Leigh also referred to the Conservative Vision for the Borough, which the Council is already utilising through the Conservative Government's funding of millions to revitalise town centres across the Borough, with Halifax receiving £11.7m, Brighouse £19m, Todmorden £17.5 and Elland £6.3m. That's over £50m of Government funding to make our town centres attractive – But the Labour Council, through this review, will actively discourage visitors. Thus, adding pressure on residents and local businesses.
The call-in meeting successfully concluded as the Parking Review has been redirected back to Cabinet for further debate. Until then, the increase and changes are now on hold.
It remains to be seen whether the Labour Cabinet will properly scrutinise its policy, so Calderdale Conservatives will continue to rally support through a petition against the increases, which can be found below.
