U-turn on car parking change after 4,500 people sign petition

Council agree to stick to current charging times – though prices will still increase

CALLS have been made for more cross-party collaboration at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council after an 11th-hour u-turn on proposed changes to car parking.

While parking tarriffs will go up across the three Moorlands towns, a move to increase the charging times to 8am-6pm will not now go ahead in Leek or Cheadle, although it will in Biddulph.

The District Council, led by the Conservative group and some independents, had proposed to increase parking charges and also extend the present charging times, currently 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Following anger by Cheadle councillors, the proposed parking charging times were not altered, while the free half hour parking on Tape Street Car Park and the one hour free parking at Well Street was deferred from the proposals.

The ruling cabinet then voted to approve the changes and the proposals went to the full council meeting for ratification last week.

But the new proposals for Leek led to an online petition being started by Helen Bridgett. The petition raised more than 4,500 signatures in just a few days seeking the same leniency be applied to Leek as for Cheadle.

Leek Town Council also joined the list of objectors to the proposed rise in tariffs and longer hours of parking charges in the town.

At last week’s full meeting of the District Council, prior to presenting the authority’s budget for 2022/23, leader Sybil Ralphs said: “The car parking strategy has been contentious.

“When it was finalised we took it to the scrutiny panel for a debate. Cheadle councillors said that they did not like the 8am to 6pm charging and preferred to stay with the 9.30am to 3.30pm periods.

“We listened and agreed with them. “There was no representation from Leek.

“The executive have now discussed it and rethought that we have helped Cheadle and now will do the same for Leek.

“Therefore, free parking in Leek will remain before 9.30am and after 3.30pm as present.

“However, tariffs will go up as there has been no increase since 2018.”

Petition organiser Helen said: “I am glad that the free parking periods are now to be retained.

“The morning free parking is of value to many people, but equally the afternoon free parking is really essential too.”

Councillor Brian Johnson said that the council leader had listened.

He said: “The consultation was flawed. Leek Town Council did take part in the consultation but had zero feedback.

“People do come into the town after 3.30pm. People also return from work and park on the car parks to save parking in the streets of Leek.”

Councillor Mike Worthington said: “I would like to thank Helen Bridgett for the petition.

“I am pleased the leader has listened. It is an excellent budget which I will support.”

Councillor Andrew Hart, who has the responsibility for property and car parks, said that car parking charges were the cheapest in Staffordshire.

He said: “People who come into the towns can’t believe how cheap it is to park. But people want more modern ways of paying.”

Summing up the long debate, Councillor Ralphs, said: “It would be a good idea when setting the budget if amendments were put forward then, as there has been no time to scrutinise it.

“We should work together in the future as we could have absorbed some ideas in the budget.”

Proposals put forward for Biddulph will remain. The Wharf Road car park will be free for the first hour and then prices would be increased by 40p for two hours; 80p for three hours and 70p for up to 10 hours. Charges will be from 8am to 6pm.

Councillors voted to approve the budget along with the car parking tariffs and charging times by 37 in favour; 12 against and one abstention.

Councillor Mike Gledhill, leader of the Labour opposition party at

SMDC, said: “It was good to see the cabinet listening to the people of Leek and doing a u-turn on car parking in our town.

“It is a welcome new development in local democracy.

“Keeping the ‘free hours’ as now gives a breathing space for traders and allows time to consult people properly on town centre parking in the future.

“Let’s hope that is done constructively and inclusively with all stakeholders and not imposed on the town via consultants.

“I congratulate the petition organisers who did a magnificent job.”

IN HER budget presentation, Councillor Ralphs also confirmed that SMDC’S share of the council tax would rise by 2.99 per cent.

She said: “We treat taxpayers money very carefully. We have to make tough decisions and deal with them, but we do listen.

“A Band D property will increase by £2.74 a year, but 70 per cent of people live in a band A-C, so the increase will be less. The rise is less than that allowed by the government. It will help taxpayers and businesses.

“We have had a good settlement from the government and appreciate the generosity of the grants that have been made. It is a balanced budget and makes minimal use of reserves. We are in a strong financial position.”

An amended alternative budget put forward by the Labour group was defeated in a vote by councillors.

Labour leader, Councillor Mike Gledhill said: “Our balanced budget addresses people across the Staffordshire Moorlands.

“We would invest in LED lighting on council buildings and have a climate change fund for towns and parish. Car parking charges would rise by just 10p for one/two hours and 20p for three hours. We are glad that the free parking hours have survived.

“Our budget does use some of the reserves, which presently stand at £12.5million, which is a staggering amount. It would help people and businesses to get back on their feet.”