The leader of Warwickshire County Council has declared his administration is already working to attract "big investors" to rejuvenate struggling high streets, during a fiery debate over increases to on-street parking fees.
Parking Fee Hike Sparks Council Clash
The political row erupted as councillors discussed plans to raise the cost of using on-street parking bays in several towns. Councillor Jan Matecki, the former transport and planning chief, argued that increasing a 15-minute stay from 30p to 45p would harm town centre businesses by deterring quick shopping trips.
His successor, Councillor Jennifer Warren, defended the move, stating the council had benchmarked fees nationally and needed to generate income. She emphasised that paying for the "convenience" of a kerbside space was fair, suggesting a 15-minute stop was typically for a small purchase.
Leader Points to 'Failing' Local Plans and Big Investors
Council leader George Finch entered the fray, shifting the blame away from parking charges. He pointed to "unsuccessful" local plans in the south of the county, which he claimed pushed shoppers towards out-of-town retail parks.
"These big corporations are just destroying towns," he stated. "It is not this [parking]. This is a way to actually bring people in."
When challenged by Cllr Matecki that local businesses themselves cited parking costs as the problem, Cllr Finch turned focus to future investment. "Town centres are dying all across the county," he declared, naming Nuneaton, Bedworth, Atherstone, and Warwick.
He made the significant claim: "We are working on that with the economy, we have big investors that we are already bringing in, we are working on to drive the economy and footfall into town centres." He also suggested the upcoming local government reorganisation (unitary) would solve many issues.
New Tariffs Approved Despite Alternative Proposal
Cllr Matecki had proposed a compromise, capping the 15-minute rise at 35p. Using council data, he calculated this would cost £24,000 annually, calling it an "investment for our businesses." He also suggested making two-hour stays more expensive to encourage longer visits to cheaper district-run car parks, freeing up on-street spaces.
However, Cllr Warren stated all options were considered and the approved increases were the "most equitable." The new tariffs, coming into effect in April 2026, are:
- 15 minutes: 30p to 45p
- 30 minutes: 80p to 90p
- 1 hour: £1.60 to £1.80
- 1.5 hours: £2.40 to £2.70
- 2 hours: £3.20 to £3.60
The changes apply to county-managed bays in Leamington, Warwick, Stratford, and Kenilworth. Fees in Rugby are expected to stay lower, reflecting cheaper off-street options there.
