Wem and Shropshire councillors in parking fees row

A row has broken out between town councillors in Wem and Shropshire Council over controversial plans to introduce car parking charges.

Councillors in Wem have rejected an idea by Shirehall bosses for the town council to pay £55,350 a year to stop the unitary authority from introducing parking charges in the town.

Councillors have accused Shropshire Council of plucking the figure out of the air, declaring it "non-negotiable" and ignoring promises of proper discussions.

Without the town council paying £55,350 a year, it is expected variable charges will be imposed on the main High Street car park and the smaller parking areas in Leek Street and Mill Street.

People in Wem think Shropshire Council should re-think its parking strategy because of fears over the impact on the town's economy and its very future as a market town.

But unitary council officials say it is important to introduce the charges to bring more consistency across the county.

To keep its increase in council tax as low as possible the town council has trimmed costs and reduced contributions to local organisations by 10 per cent.

It has also decided to increase its council tax precept to £227,790 — an increase of eight per cent, or £20,000 — to accept responsibility for keeping the public toilets open and to continue to ensure the survival of Wem Swimming Pool.

Councillor Mandy Meakin, Mayor of Wem, said: "Even without subsidising the car parks, the town council has been forced to make difficult choices to keep increases to its rate payers to a minimum. They have asked for £55,000 a year which is a quarter of the town council's budget and we just cannot afford it."