CONTROVERSIAL plans to centralise on-street parking with the county council have been approved.

Since October, Hampshire County Council has been discussing the potential to bring all street parking in-house, after claiming that district management is no longer financially viable.

The county council reported that the districts including Winchester manage on-street parking but are operating at a deficit, and claimed that centralisation would be more efficient.

Concerns have been raised by Martin Tod who is both a city and a county councillor.

At Cllr Russell Oppenheimer’s highways operations decision day the plans were given the green light.

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He said: "The advice I have been given is sound advice and in the interest of residents, who want an efficient parking service. I believe the team has shared the right level of information and detail – we don’t want to point fingers at districts or release confidential financial information.

"We cannot lose sight of the bigger picture. We have a backlog of highway maintenance work and need to channel resources into that."

At a select committee meeting that morning, councillors raised concerns about staff levels, the effectiveness of a central service and whether this is even needed.

Adrian Gray, head of highways, said: "This move will create a single countywide parking service across all districts, taking back all services over an 18-month period.

"There are several reasons for this decision. The county council directly managing the parking service is shown to be more efficient and will secure the most cost-effective service long-term.

"This is the best opportunity for a resilient, effective and modern on-street parking service across Hampshire."

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Mr Gray’s methodology and claims that districts were not operating efficiently were heavily criticised by councillors across the political spectrum, and voted against approving the proposals.

The final decision was ultimately made by Cllr Oppenheimer at his decision day meeting.

Cllr Martin Tod, Liberal Democrat spokesman for economy, transport and environment, who also sits on the city council, added: "This paper is remarkably thin in terms of detail. You [Adrian Gray] have not explained how it will be more efficient, or what happens to staff or what happens to the revenue."

Mr Gray replied stating that civil enforcement officers currently working for district councils will be offered a transfer, and vacancies will be advertised where employees decline the offer.

Conservative member for Purbrook and Stakes South, Cllr Gary Hughes, said: "I have an abundance of questions on this report – not so much about what’s in the report as what is not in it.

"I have been told that some services in districts are actually cost neutral to the county council, rather than creating a deficit. I’m not against this proposal but I want to make a properly-informed decision."

 

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