'Stupid idea' that led to less income from Helston car park
A MOVE designed to increase income from a Helston car park, which has led to a 50 per cent fall in receipts, has been branded stupid.
As reported last week, long-stay charges in the Castle Green car park at the bottom of Helston were quadrupled about six weeks ago.
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Judith Haycock
Local Cornwall councillor Judith Haycock told the West Briton this week: "In my view it is just stupid to charge too much for a car park, which means it is not being used and we have less income than we had before.
"Although the amount collected before the increase was not a great deal the figures I have been given for the first two weeks of the new charges, not surprisingly, show 50 per cent less."
With the price increase, this means one-eighth as many users.
She now wants the charges to be reviewed immediately if there are similar large percentage drops elsewhere.
She said: "Upon investigation on Wednesday in the middle of the morning, there was only one paying car."
Another neighbour told the West Briton last week that in the weeks since the charges were increased she had only seen five cars parked with long-stay tickets – two on the same day.
Staff at a local solicitors' practice have already stopped using the facility because of the "disgusting" hike in fees and are urging clients to do the same. Solicitor David Muirhead said 20 to 30 cars used to park there daily.
An added problem was caused by drivers parking on side roads instead. Mrs Haycock also said: "I have been told there is no plan to implement any changes for a year.
Reviewed
"If this situation continues I will be requesting that all Cornwall Council car parks that show such a large fall in income must be reviewed very soon. The council, and the public, cannot afford to wait for a year."
She had received complaints that the car park was not now being used. Mrs Haycock said Graeme Hicks, the councillor responsible for parking, had asked to be given a monthly comparison list of all council-owned car parks so he can keep an eye on any reductions in revenue.
But she believed a quicker response was required: "If, as a result of an increase, we are losing income it should be addressed immediately."
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by HoberMallow
Tuesday, June 21 2011, 10:32PM
“@ helston90
I didn't accuse anybody of anything; I just pointed out signs of mild panic in a politco and how I would interpret them if - like Girl Helston - I was considering standing for election.”
by helston90
Tuesday, June 21 2011, 7:56PM
“@HoberMallow
Hang on- Judith was invited to comment by GirlHelston to defend herself/ the actions of the Council, and now that she has responded to all points and invited an open discussion you're accusing her of being worried about her position. Damned if she did and damned if she didn't!”
by HoberMallow
Tuesday, June 21 2011, 11:49AM
“@ Girl Helston
I see you have finally had a reply from your councillor.
Looks to me as if you have her worried that she might lose her tax payer funded sinecure.
If *anything* could convince you that you are in with a chance of election if you stand, this should be it.
Go for it!”
by diogenes23
Tuesday, June 21 2011, 10:42AM
“"Unfortunately with the Cabinet System that Cornwall Council operates only the councillors on the Cabinet made the decisions on the car park charges and 'ordinary' councillors did not get a vote, regardless of how vocal they were."
I think that tells us everything we need to know about this rotten undemocratic council. Vote for whom you like, the failed pub landlord and his unelected 'cabinet' of time-servers and sycophants will impose their will on the peasants. You need look no further than St Dennis incinerator debacle to see the true nature of 'our' council.”
by Helston2001
Monday, June 20 2011, 11:25PM
“GIRLHELSTON
Yes I have been reading the comments.
I am sorry that you have such a personal dislike of me as it is obvious from the way you address me you do not know me at all. I realise that anything I say you will find fault with however I will take this opportunity to correct some of your statements.
I have spoken up about the unsustainable charging in Cornwall Council car parks regularly for the last 18 months. Unfortunately with the Cabinet System that Cornwall Council operates only the councillors on the Cabinet made the decisions on the car park charges and 'ordinary' councillors did not get a vote, regardless of how vocal they were.
As a Trustee of the Community Association I tried for years to keep it open, it was the Town Council that decided to close it.
I don't know where you got your facts about the prison yard development; most people know I fought the development of that land for 20 years.
I would like to know how you think I, or anyone else, can 'force' Helston Town Council to do anything.
I am quite happy to meet with you and discuss all the issues that you have raised and any others that you might have.
Please don't turn this into a personal hate campaign. There is too much bitterness in the world already.”
by GIRLHELSTON
Monday, June 20 2011, 10:51AM
“Hi HoberMallow
Thanks for your kind comment.
Seeing the quality of Councillor I am up against, such as Judy, I am seriously considering it.
So many are like Judy, they say whatever comes into their mind first to get a cheap headline, but never actually achieve anything positive. I am not interested in sitting on useless and time wasting committees such as "SCRUTINY", but on something like parking would get involved.
Either by voting against and speaking against these ridiculous charges before they are introduced, not afterwards, or by forcing the local council, in this case Helston Town Council, to take a lead in making sure shoppers got say one hours free parking.
I know it would annoy some of the out of touch old duffers on Helston Town Council who have been there for ever, but at present anything Judy says is just laughed at because no one takes her seriously locally.
Anyway, thanks again for your support. I notice Judy doesnt even bother to read these very interesting comments.”
by stevepz
Monday, June 20 2011, 8:43AM
“And on that logic lets clear our national debth by putting petrol up to 50 pounds a liter.”
by julianbayliss
Sunday, June 19 2011, 4:17PM
“Parking fees across the county are a joke anyway. They need to be much lower... that'll get more people into town.”
by HoberMallow
Saturday, June 18 2011, 11:09AM
“@ Girl Helston
You are obviously knowledgeable about the politics of where you live. You are capable of being an activist - demonstrating around the boating lake with 500 others - surely the next step is to stand for the Council yourself?
Best of luck!”
by TheodoreV
Friday, June 17 2011, 3:21PM
“It's been obvious for years that as more national supermarkets open, it is bound to result in the death of town centres and shops in them. The larger the supermarkets and chains the more it destroys independent competition in non-food items, ETS being the latest casualty. They don't even compete on a level playing field, with free parking for the former whilst town shoppers have to walk, pay for parking and harassed by PSO's for minor infringements. (For a recent one minute park in Penzance it cost me £35!!!!) Councils have assisted this process and CC with their latest charging policy have made it worse. If it really supports the viability of Cornish towns it will change its policy which could start with initiatives like a free first hour throughout Cornwall.”