Labour group at Breckland Council calls for referendum

Tensions have been running high at Breckland Council over controversial plans to introduce car parking fees in Dereham, Swaffham, Thetford, Watton and Attleborough amid increasing budget pressures. 

The Labour group at the authority is pushing for a referendum on the proposals and suggested that increasing council tax could be a more efficient way to plug the funding gap. 

There has been widespread opposition to the introduction of car parking charges, which local business owners say will have a "seriously damaging" impact on high streets.

Cherry Tree car park in Dereham, where charges could be introduced (Image: Matthew Usher)

Harry Clarke, leader of the Labour group, said: "Residents are already suffering from a cost of living crisis, and we note that town centres are struggling with empty shops. This proposal will only exacerbate poor footfall.

"The benefit of paying for car parks through council tax is that it’s the most cost-effective way of paying for the car parks. It attracts visitors to the towns."

The Conservative-led council said ongoing budget pressures were forcing it to consider fees to pay the current bill for the upkeep of the car parks, which amounts to £450,000 a year.

The proposals will see one car park in each town offer the first hour’s parking for free, with tariffs between 50p and £1 for the first chargeable hour at the others. 

Fees would differ from town to town with the cost of an entire day ranging from £2.50 in Watton to £3.80 in Thetford.

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Dereham councillor, Harry Clarke (Image: Denise Bradley)

The Labour group will suggest an increase to council tax to cover the cost of maintaining free car parking at the next full meeting of the authority on September 5. 

This would cost those living in a Band D property an additional £9.50 per year - an increase of around 8pc to the current rate of £113.58.