New on-street parking charges could be rolled out in Norfolk

A document published by Norfolk County Council (NCC) states that it is “hoped” that chargeable on-street parking schemes can be introduced “over time” in Breckland, Broadland, north Norfolk and south Norfolk. 

The cost of enforcing parking rules in those areas is currently on a net loss and NCC said it would continue to seek annual contributions from the four district councils. 

But it hopes on-street charges will “help reduce the net enforcement deficits and ultimately return surpluses, so that no further contributions are required, and a sustainable position is reached.”

At a meeting of the Norfolk Parking Partnership, an officer said north Norfolk’s situation was “particularly challenging”.

“We have asked a number of times, to follow up on the request for the contribution,” he said, adding that it was a “very modest” figure of “about £5,500”. 

He said the authority had “point blank refused to pay the contribution, so it’s sad to have to report that for the enforcement they get there, they do not appear to be willing to pay something towards it”. 

North Norfolk District Council was approached for comment.

Conservative councillor Graham Plant said the committee would have to consider alternative fund-raising options there.

The officer said NCC was already talking with towns across north Norfolk about those options. 

Broadland and South Norfolk councils have meanwhile budgeted for their contributions, but an officer from the two authorities said they were “working towards mitigating those costs in other ways, and working with the partnership on schemes to reduce the cost of enforcement in the district[s]”.

An NCC spokeswoman said there had been no conversations about on-street charges in Breckland, but did not rule out introducing them in the longer term. 

Labour councillor Harry Clarke, who represents Dereham Withburga on Breckland Council, said he was “alarmed” by the idea, which he said needed “more discussion and airing, not just a balance the books exercise”. 

Labour town and district councillor Harry Clarke (Image: Labour Party)

The NCC spokeswoman responded: “Good on-street parking enforcement helps make sure that inconsiderate on-street parking doesn’t snarl up our town centres, kerbside bays are free for people wishing to pop into a local business, and blue badge spaces are available for those who need them most.

She said the council wanted to ensure it has a balanced budget to manage on-street parking and any new charging schemes “would only be introduced with the support of local communities”.