What will happen to revenue made from Breckland's car park charges?

Its bid for charges in Attleborough, Dereham, Swaffham, Thetford and Watton was put before its Overview and Scrutiny Commission on Thursday. 

The issue raised most often by councillors was revenue, and what the council would do with additional money it might gain from the charges. 

When the council announced it would be introducing parking charges to five towns across its district earlier this week, it had said it was not looking to make money from the charges. 

Cllr Paul Hewett, cabinet member for executive member for property, projects and procurement, said that the council's plans were based on a cost recovery model, which aims to cover the costs of car park maintenance.

Cllr Harry Clarke was first to put forward the question of revenue: "In the instance that additional money is made, what would happen to that revenue?" he asked. 

Mr Clarke asked Mr Hewett what would happen to additional revenue made from the parking charges? (Image: Denise Bradley)
In response, Mr Hewett said: "I'm aware that in some parts of the country, some council car parks are run for profit purposes, and those are the ones that suffered significantly during Covid when parts of revenue were not met.

"I want to make it very clear that this is a cost recovery model, which is why the initial costs are so low.

"If there is a small surplus, it will be distributed back to the towns that contributed to that surplus, which I think is only right and fair," he said. 

Cllr Roger Atterwill also challenged Figure 6 in the report, which suggests that the council stands to make £1.17m in the first year. 

Mr Atterwill questioned the presentation of the data, among other issues, for full transparency during public consultation. (Image: Newsquest)
However, Mr Hewett clarified that this figure was based on the initial recommendation from the experts and did not include the free hour on the council's proposed model. 

He added: "We pushed back on that proposal, and it is not the model we are presenting."

It was then suggested that the council rectify its data presentation ahead of Monday's cabinet meeting, and simplify the report for the public.

Other questions raised involved payment flexibility for the £150-annual permits, as well as plans for business employees in the towns who would be expected to pay approximately £768 a year based on the daily rate charges.

Mr Hewett said that all these will be considered in the consultation, that will begin after Breckland's cabinet decision on Monday.