RESIDENTS will be asked for their views on plans to increase council tax by five per cent in Newport, but proposals to introduce new parking charges have been abandoned.

Draft budget proposals which went before the council’s cabinet on Friday to introduce parking charges at Glebelands Park, Christchurch viewpoint, and Morgans Pond off Bettws Lane will no longer be taken forward.

Council leader, Cllr Jane Mudd said several councillors had contacted her about the potential impact of the proposal on residents and proposed the council no longer include the saving in its budget consultation.

Almost 500 people had signed an online petition – started by Conservative candidate for Newport West in the Senedd elections, Michael Enea – to stop proposed charges at Glebelands Park.

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Cllr Gail Giles welcomed the decision to scrap the plan, saying outdoor access has “never been more important” due to lockdown restrictions.

Proposals which will go out for consultation include a five per cent council tax rise, which equates to an increase of £59.89 per year on a band D property, or between £39.93 and £53.24 for bands A-C.

A new pay and display car park is also planned at Mill Parade, opposite the Newport Transporter Bridge visitor centre.

Investments of around £8 million are also proposed, including £1.8 million in schools, £1.5 million in social care, and £300,000 for ‘digital aspirations’ and a new household waste recycling centre.

The proposals have been drawn up with the council facing a shortfall of about £5m to fund services next year.

Cllr Mudd said no final decisions will be taken until after the public consultation, and assured residents the cabinet will be “listening to what they have to say”.

She said the council needed to support vulnerable residents, invest in infrastructure and regeneration.

“The need and ambition to invest in services in the city means that we will need to increase council tax and find savings,” she said.

But she said the budget was “not just about council tax”, pointing to investments as well.

“This budget ensures our manifesto promises can be delivered to the people of Newport,” she added.

Cllr Ray Truman said it was “more important than it’s ever been” to ensure services are there for people due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“This budget demonstrates we are investing in services, because we will need those services particularly when we come out of this pandemic,” he said.

Cllr Abdul-Majid Rahman said that while a council tax rise is proposed, support will be made available for residents struggling to pay.

Other proposals include introducing charges for non-household waste items taken to the tip, such as plasterboard and tyres.

An investment of £150,000 is also proposed to help bring empty properties back into use.

The closure of Cambridge House children’s home in Stow Hill is also proposed, with the property “no longer fit-for-purpose”, and the council creating new children’s homes to provide care.

The public consultation will run until February 12.