Council rejects cheaper parking in Bournemouth and Poole despite Conservative push and debate over town center revival.
Other council members didn’t like this plan at all, saying the town centers don’t need it. Phil Broadhead disagrees with them, thinking those town centers are struggling a lot. He says people feel unsafe there and it’s too expensive to visit.
Broadhead believes lower parking fees could help. People would visit more often if it were cheaper. Andy Martin thinks things are getting better though.
He argues confidence is returning and mentions new businesses opening in Bournemouth. These places are investing there because of optimism. The Conservatives wanted funding from a climate fund to cover the cost of reduced parking fees.
Rich Herrett disagreed with this idea, feeling the savings are too small. Millie Earl said the idea won’t help the town, and she does not believe it’s about climate versus town revival. John Beesley sees things differently.
He thinks a cut would offer hope and that the council isn’t trying hard enough.