Councillor Derek Ross calls "discriminatory" parking charges a "slap in the face"
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Councillor Derek Ross has said that a new £1 per day parking charge for Moray Council workers in Elgin is "discriminatory" and a "slap in the face".
The charges were put forward by Tim Eagle (Buckie, Conservative) last week and were passed by 15 votes to eight. The council expects the charges to generate £33,000 over the 2019/20 financial year.
Cllr Ross (Speyside Glenlivet, Independent) said the fees were pushing those working part-time, or on poor wages, into poverty.
"We have councillors who are praising workers one moment and then slapping them in the face the next," he told the Northern Scot.
"These charges are pushing works on part-time contracts and low wages into poverty."
The councillor, who is part of the Moray Alliance Group, proposed no fee should be charged to staff – a motion which was defeated by 14 votes to eight – and wants them to know there are people on their side.
"I want workers to know there are councillors who support them. A third of us voted against this plan. We have to respect the job these people are doing under difficult circumstances.
"There is now only one or two of them when before there was 10 and they are doing the same job. It's not good for their mental health and wellbeing."
Mr Ross, whose comments are backed by trade union Unison, also says those working in Elgin are being discriminated against.
"If you're doing the same job but working in Buckie, Keith and Forres then you're £20 per month better off. It's discrimination.
"And where does it stop? Is it going to be £40 next year?"
Many comments from Northern Scot readers concern the right to free parking for council staff – when others around town have to pay but Mr Ross disagreed with this point of view, adding: "Not everyone has to pay, the majority don't pay."
Other rejected motions were: A £20 per month permit system proposed by Cllr Graham Leadbitter (Elgin South, SNP) was defeated 13-9.
Cllr Gordon Cowie (Buckie, Independent) proposed the site is turned into a public car park. This was defeated by 15-7.
