NEWPORT cabinet member Ken Critchley did not consult traders about axing free parking in the city because he did not have to.

In responses drafted on behalf of the cabinet member for infrastructure, Cllr Critchley admits, “there was no formal consultation with the traders in regards to the changes in the parking schedule,” because “the power to change charges for services delivered by the council is detailed in the constitution and can be agreed with the portfolio member”.

More than 3,000 people have now signed our petition, urging the council to reverse its decision to scrap free parking in council-owned city centre car parks for the first two hours.

In the emails dated December 7, Cllr Critchley says: “While no formal consultation has taken place about removal of free parking, officers have acknowledged comments from a number of traders at various council and trader meetings, that the two-hour period is not long enough for shoppers to visit the city, to shop and use food and beverage outlets.

“I can also confirm that £1 for three hours is the lowest price we could offer for extended incentivised car parking, and to enable the offer of five hours free for December and January immediately.”

Cllr Critchley was asked as a result whether he had therefore funded the five hours free scheme by scrapping two hours, and whether traders had agreed to that.

He answered: “The council is charged with balancing public finances.

“Provision was made in the budget for parking initiatives and following the requirement to further support traders over the Christmas period, we have balanced the budgets through these proposals, and further supported traders at this time.

“We have not held specific consultation meetings with the traders regarding this issue.”

Allt-yr-yn councillor David Fouweather slammed the decision, saying: “It just shows how this council is being run at the moment.

“I’m very disappointed that there wasn’t consultation with traders on such an important decision. There should have been consultation with traders and their responses put in the report.”