Protesters call for parking charges investigation (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Protesters call for parking charges investigation

5:02pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

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CRITICS of Hambleton District Council's plans to bring in car parking charges want the motives behind the scheme investigated.

More than 40 business owners in Thirsk have written to the council's standards committee about the scheme, calling for a full investigation into the authority's handling of the issue.

Jonathan Roberts, Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Thirsk and Malton, has led the traders.

He said: "We understand that the council has run out of money, and that it needs to find a way of raising some revenue.

"But we need to know that these charges, which could potentially be so destructive for our town, are not being brought in on a whim.

"I am hoping that the council can offer evidence of a significant attempt to avoid car parking charges.

"If there has been no serious effort to find an alternative, however, people in Thirsk will justifiably feel angry."

Coun Peter Sowray, chairman of the standards committee in 2007-8, said he would take advice.

He said: "I have received the letters from the residents.

"I would have to take legal advice from the council's head of legal services, Martyn Richards, about whether it should be looked at.

"Personally, I am fairly sure that the council has gone into this thoroughly."

Coun Brian Phillips, deputy leader of the council, said: "I think Mr Roberts is clutching at straws.

"We are happy that the council has done everything correctly over this and there's no issue for the standards committee.

"It was a Labour Government, Mr Roberts' party, which capped the council so it could not raise council tax levels enough, leading to the charges."

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