Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen McPartland Excerpts

Monday 25th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Williams]

Obviously, we cannot comment on particular planning developments, but while a neighbourhood plan may deal with the housing issues, it cannot countermand the aspirations of the authority’s local plan. It can differ, however, on how those housing policies can be met.

[Stephen McPartland (Stevenage) (Con)]

4. If he will take steps to reduce excessive parking charges and address aggressive parking enforcement.

[James Duddridge (Rochford and Southend East) (Con)]

7. If he will take steps to reduce excessive parking charges and address aggressive parking enforcement.

[The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Eric Pickles)]

Yes, councils should be treating motorists fairly and promoting their town centres, not treating car parking charges and fines as a way of raising revenue. We will consult on a range of proposals later this year.

[Stephen McPartland]

Stevenage borough council is ripping off local people by taking more than £3 million a year in car parking charges, which is preventing the regeneration of Stevenage town centre. To make matters worse, it uses more than £1 million of profits for unrelated services, which I believe the High Court considers to be illegal. What actions will the Secretary of State take to protect local people from Stevenage borough council?

[Mr Pickles]

I am sorry to hear of the state of affairs in Stevenage. We shall certainly be looking at the rules on charging and the parking review grace periods in which parking offences can be ruled unacceptable. We shall be consulting on how this might be done appropriately and soon be laying orders on the collection of fines from closed circuit television.