Cllr Paul Elgood

Liberal Democrat Councillors claim that residents, businesses and visitors will be better served if the city's on-street parking contract was brought in-house and fully under the council's control.

The Lib Dems have launched a petition through the council's own website to highlight the impact the issue has on business during the Christmas period and New Year sales.  

The petition calls for the service to be brought in-house following concerns expressed by residents and businesses over the operation of the contract and record revenue raised from it.  Previously, the council's failing waste contract was brought back under the council's control and is now seen as a resounding success. Council owned carparks have already successfully returned to council control.

Lib Dem Group Leader Councillor Paul Elgood said:
"Record income from parking fines at a time of recession has left a lot of people baffled as to how such enforcement levels can be fair.

"The city's income from parking is way out of proportion and represents nothing less than another tax on local people, business and visitors.  Parking schemes have now reached the suburbs, soon most roads in the city will be in line for such schemes. If this is the case, then there must be maximum confidence in the way the contract is enforced.

"We want to see the contract brought in-house to restore confidence in the city's parking service. The wardens can then be part of the council's frontline team reporting issues and helping people. Such a service will be hugely valued by residents.

"Some common sense needs to return to the way the council enforces parking. Otherwise the council's own reputation will continued be dogged by negative reports concerning enforcement issues."

To sign the petition visit:
present.brighton-hove.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=69&RPID=200134