A Wilmslow councillor is calling on Cheshire East to use some of the income from car parks in Wilmslow to help resolve the current parking problems in the town.
In November 2018 Cheshire East Council announced their intention to consult on proposals to increase parking charges across the borough from March 2019.
In the press release, Frank Jordan, executive director of place and acting deputy chief executive said: "It is our responsibility to ensure our car parks are safe, secure and well maintained – and that there is a good turnaround of spaces for visitors and shoppers.
"The money that comes from car parks helps us to do this and ensures that our car parks fund themselves, rather than us having to use money intended for vital frontline services elsewhere.
"For Cheshire East Council, this is not a profit-making scheme. The revenue generated will help to ensure a quality of service that people expect when they come to one of our car parks."
Councillor Toni Fox, Independent for the Dean Row Ward, said "The total income from car parks in Wilmslow since 2015 is £2,803,519.00 whilst maintenance costs for the same period were £6,860.36."
In an open letter to Frank Jordan she said "In light of the proposed increase in parking charges and the ongoing car parking survey being undertaken in Wilmslow I would be grateful if you could clarify what has become of the remaining balance of £2,796,658.64 and if this is available, if required, to help resolve the current parking issues in the Town?"
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.. Meanwhile in the real world.... A sensible resolution from Cllr Fox to fund a meaningful solution ... Its a pity our ward Cllrs have not volunteered this information before hand...
Add to this £2.79 million to the £74K that has conveniently gone amiss from the Adlington Road New Homes Bonus scheme of some £94000 (FOI figures from CEC in 2016) & with more development at that site since will come even more NHB money. CEC is "promising" there will be no NHB money after 2019.Of the £94K Wilmslow is being offered a paltry circa £24K - hence the missing £74k.
Hang on a minute, more new developments at Little Staneylands & Heathfield Farm are now underway. This should mean more NHB monies for Wilmslow. But no, Cheshire East has said it will not be making further NHB monies available beyond 2019,there will be none.
So where is that NHB money going to?
The community of Wilmslow needs answers. Someone has likened this to having your home broken into, the crooks taking all your family's silver whilst you are fully awake and they know you are watching them.
Cllr Toni Fox has clearly demonstrated once again the terrific value of a RoW Independent councillor - she is not afraid to ask THE questions, the questions that Wilmslow's CE Conservative councillors will not or dare not ask. Toni has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that only RoW independent councillors will fight openly for Wilmslow's just needs....and monies.
Voter, your big chance will come on 2nd May, do not miss the opportunity to have your voice heard.
Roll on May 2nd and removing these non-Independent councillors!