No rethink on parking charges plan for Elgin
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MORAY Council is sticking by its plan to reintroduce parking charges in Elgin from August 1.
Council leader, Cllr Graham Leadbitter said he understands that the decision will not be "universally liked" but the authority is, like many organisations and businesses, in a difficult financial position.
Elgin Business Improvement District (BID) members have issued a plea for the council to rethink the move while many businesses are just reopening after the Covid-19 lockdown.
Cllr Leadbitter said: “The council’s cross-party sounding board agreed that a pragmatic approach was to restart parking charges from August 1.
"I know it won’t be universally liked, which is the case with other issues, including the decision to pedestrianise various Elgin streets, which I have heard different views of businesses on.
“Everything is a tricky balance but, like businesses, we are also having to watch our budgets very closely.
"At the moment we are projecting a £5.5M net cost as a result of Covid-19, from a combination of increased cost in some areas but, significantly, in lost revenue.
"Car parking charges generate in excess of £800,000 year in Moray and is a significant contributor to the council’s income.
“We are constantly reviewing the council’s finances as things become clearer but at the present time, with all the financial information that we have, this is the position that we are in.
However, Tory leader on the council, Cllr Tim Eagle, has backed delaying the reintroduction of parking charges.
He said: “There is no denying that Moray faces a large gap in funding due to the effects of Coronavirus and that is something that I hope the SNP administration continue to pursue with their colleagues in the Scottish Government but also through COSLA the body which represents all councils in Scotland.
"However I really believe that protecting business and jobs is vital at this point in time given what they have been through. Moray must move quickly to recover from Coronvirus and that might mean making costly changes to policy to allow a quick recovery and a protection of vital jobs.
"There is clearly mounting support from business experts that delaying the reintroduction of parking charges will be a practical way of supporting locally companies and I am all for supporting that”
And Cllr Eagle criticised the decision-making process.
"This was decided in a meeting not open to the public and with no prior information supplied to interested groups. This is no way to do council business at a time when we should all be working together, public and private as one."
And Moray MP Douglas Ross said he had been contacted by many local businesses "up in arms" at the decision.
He added: "This is a period when businesses and shops are struggling to get back on their feet and they need all the support that they can get. It’s clear from local business representatives that this sends out completely the wrong signal and risks the recovery of our businesses in Elgin."
Mr Ross has called for a further six month period with no parking charges.
Open letter to Moray councillors and officials
