COUNCILLOR APOLOGISES OVER CAR PARKING CONTROVERSY
Councillor apologises and pays for cost of controversial parking space
A LEADING councillor has apologised and offered to pay for the cost of creating - and also the subsequent removal - of a controversial parking space which caused a storm of protest.
The space was created alongside double yellow lines on Silk Street car park in Leek before being removed just days later.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council painted the red box around the car parking space for council members. But the issue proved highly controversial with many people expressing their views on social media.
Now it has been established that officers were instructed by Councillor Edwin Wain, who has the responsibilty for planning, car parks and markets on the authority, to provide the parking space.
At the last meeting of the council’s service delivery overview and scrutiny panel two questions were raised over the issue.
Councillor Linda Malyon said: “Could I ask if the person who told officers to do this will be asked to compensate the council for the costs of this work, and apologise to the leader, the council and the people of Staffordshire Moorlands for the embarrassment caused.”
In reply Councillor Wain said: “I made a mistake and I have apologised to the leader and the council. It has been put
right. I have no problems with the cost, but I do not pay bills until I have seen the details.”
After hearing the response Councillor Malyon said she was very pleased that Councillor Wain had apologised and that he was going to foot the bill.
In a second question on the matter, Councillor Darren Price said: “Could the council please be informed of the costs of both the painting and subsequent removal – after only a few days – of the ‘Council Member Permit Holder Only’ space in Silk Street car park in Leek?”
In reply Councillor Wain said: “The amount is £545 plus VAT, but I would like to see the details.
“There was a reason for it, but I have
now apologised and that is the end of the matter.”
In response Councillor Price said he was pleased that Councillor Wain had offered to pay the bill.
He said: “There is a bit more to it than a car parking space, it’s a cultural issue and not a healthy way for the council to proceed.
“It is not right that someone can go to an officer and demand changes. The response from people to this was in the thousands, it caught the public mood.
“We need to look at the process of decision making at the council. This has cost us all, as we are all tarred with the same brush. The perception of people in the Moorlands is real.”