Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report presenting a petition calling for the reinstatement of one hour’s free parking on Yarm High Street. The petition had been confirmed to contain 3,400 valid signatures and read:

“Stockton Council to keep free parking on Yarm High Street.

Free Parking is crucial for supporting local businesses, encouraging footfall, and helping Yarm’s economy thrive. The Council’s changes to eliminate 1 hour free parking risks harming small businesses and deterring shoppers.”

The petition met the threshold for debate under the Council’s Petition Scheme and the report outlined the various options available to the Council in responding to the petition.

A local businessman, Paddy Morton, presented the petition on behalf of the Lead Petitioner, Matt Vickers MP citing what he believed had been the detrimental impact on business of the charge and lack of consultation.

It was moved by Councillor Niall Innes and seconded by Councillor Jack Miller:

“Council notes that:

There is vast public and business support for scrapping the new parking charges imposed by this Council and a return to the first 1-hour free model.

Council resolves:

That given the strength of feeling and lack of support for these new parking charges, that the matter is referred to Cabinet to reconsider this matter. Cabinet is requested to consult fully with local businesses on the parking charges to understand the full implication of the parking charge policy on our high street.

Following this engagement, the recommendation to Cabinet is to reverse the new policy and revert back to the original first 1-hour free model.”

Councillor Paul Rowling moved, seconded by Councillor Jim Beall, that the motion be amended to read as follows:

“Council notes that:

There is vast public and business support for scrapping the new parking charges imposed by the Council and a return to the first 1-hour free model.

Council resolves:

That given the strength of feeling for these new parking charges, that the matter is referred to Cabinet to reconsider this matter. Cabinet is requested to consult fully with local businesses on the parking charges to understand the full implication of the parking charge policy on our high street.”

The amendment was put to the vote and not carried (21 for the amendment; 27 against the amendment).

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 3.65, it was requested that a recorded vote be taken on the substantive motion, which was supported by at least a quarter of the Members present.

Members in favour of the motion: Cllr Stefan Barnes, Cllr Jim Beall, Cllr Pauline Beall, Cllr Michelle Bendelow, Cllr Clare Besford, Cllr Marc Besford, Cllr Carol Clark, Cllr Diane Clarke OBE, Cllr Nigel Cooke, Cllr Robert Cook, Cllr John Coulson, Cllr Ian Dalgarno, Cllr Richard Eglington, Cllr Lisa Evans, Cllr Kevin Faulks, Cllr Jason French, Cllr Nathan Gale, Cllr John Gardner, Cllr Ray Godwin, Cllr Lynn Hall, Cllr Elsi Hampton, Cllr Stefan Houghton, Cllr Shakeel Hussain, Cllr Barbara Inman, Cllr Niall Innes, Cllr Eileen Johnson, Cllr Mohammed Mazi, Cllr Mrs Ann McCoy, Cllr Jack  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30