Answers to Public Questions
ANSWERS FOR PUBLIC QUESTIONS
Who was responsible for the car park restrictions?
The Town Hall Management Committee had approached the Parish Council asking if anything could be done with parking issues as people attending events in the Town Hall could not always find a place to park. Despite long term users being asked to move on by members of the committee abuse was received on many occasions. People parking more than one vehicle all day for days at a time and schoolteachers taking up to five spaces all day being a couple of the problems.
This was an agenda item in April 2022 to discuss how THMC could be helped. Acting clerk to bring to next meeting scheme that Donington had. Cllr Watson had already been in contact with another company for comparisons.
Although Chair of THMC did not speak personally with the car parking company she was kept updated with progress, and details of Contract was received by all their members. Initially the company would issue an Ipad for registration numbers to be input for cars attending events at Town Hall and not therefore charged to do so. THMC agreed this not to be workable and suggested company be contacted for non-monitoring on days with day long events.
Discussed again as an agenda item in June 2022 meeting to finalise details of contract with Chair of THMC.
Scheme used at Donington is self-reporting but is in the middle of the village and has CCTV. This would not work at Kirton as it would have to be individuals taking photos and reporting parking offences.
August 2022 one member of the public and a business owner attended public forum to voice concerns at restrictions, with one scenario.
November 2022 one member from Station Road, complaining of restrictions.
Contract signed by Clerk of PC and Chair of THMC.
5th January, cameras installed. Rumours and incorrect facts hit social media, with the PC not having the chance to make a statement before public started protesting.
Why can’t a parking meter be used?
The coordination of running with a parking meter would not be feasible. Someone would have to monitor daily; money would have to be removed and insurance would be increased.
Why can’t Parish Council admit they have made a mistake?
Parish Council could admit that a decision had been made which was not in agreement with local businesses, but it would not solve the problem. Had the public feeling known now been shown at the very offset of the discussions in April 2022 this ongoing situation may not have been. However, they are now trying to do the best thing to try and alleviate some of the problems, together with the agreement of the Town Hall Management Committee and the car parking company, but they have installed cameras at their cost and are a business.
Why was it felt the meeting had to be held as a closed session?
With data protection, the PC had a responsibility, in view of the contents of the document handed to them to be discussed, to have the discussion without the public present. The document could not be called a petition as there was insufficient details for the Council to make a fair decision, although it was agreed time and effort had been put in to obtain the information. Constant communications are ongoing, and the clerk spoke with the company during that meeting for changes that could appease some of the problems, which would not have been possible if the public were present.
Updates on ways forward are being discussed with the Town Hall Management Committee for their input.
That aside decisions cannot be made at this time as the council are in ‘purdah’ whereby decisions on controversial matters cannot be made. This will therefore go to the May meeting.
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