Dozens of council car parks across Kirklees set to remain free to use
Cabinet will meet next week to consider new proposals for car park and permit holder charges.
Proposals to introduce charges to 57 free car parks and annual renewal charges for residential car parking permits were originally made in November 2023.
In July, the new Leader of Kirklees Council, Councillor Carole Pattison, pledged to pause the proposals and re-think the approach.
What are the new proposals?
At their next meeting on 8 October, Cabinet members will be asked to agree radically different proposals, based on public feedback. The new proposals mean 42 council car parks would remain free to use with the 15 other car parks free for the first two hours to support local businesses and benefitting those accessing local services and shops.
Car parks which would see charging applied, after the first two hours, are located across the district and have been identified based on their capacity to hold over 25 cars.
Cabinet members will also be asked to slash planned increases in the cost of residents’ parking permits. In November 2023, the council proposed to increase the annual charge for resident permits to £50 per year. New proposals to the Cabinet would reduce the increase with an annual permit costing £35 per resident, per year. A 30% discount would also be available for Kirklees Passport Holders.
Costs for residential parking permits have remained frozen for 10 years in Kirklees. The new proposals bring the cost of residential parking permits in line with neighbouring schemes in Bradford and Calderdale.
Councillor Munir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways said:
“Thousands of local residents responded to public consultations on both parking proposals. In light of this feedback, one of our first decisions as a new cabinet was to pause the initial proposals and conduct a thorough review.
“Parking charges have remained static for the last 14 years. Unfortunately the current financial climate means the council is no longer able to sustain the price freeze.
“But we’ve listened to concerns and we think the new plans are proportionate and fairer for residents and businesses.
“The proposed introduction of parking fees and increases to residential permits are not decisions we take lightly and it’s important we balance the financial needs of the council whilst taking into consideration local views.”
These new proposals will be presented at cabinet on Tuesday 8 October.