Parking Charge Freeze Sparks Council Clash in Brighton and Hove

The council faced accusations of subsidizing drivers through a parking charge freeze proposal. Mark Strong, a member of a council scrutiny committee, raised this issue. He called it a tax on everyone else, benefiting higher-income groups. Trevor Muten disagreed with Strong’s claim, noting that many key workers rely on cars.

The committee discussed the budget for 2025-26. John Hewitt questioned the lower parking revenues despite charge increases. The report cited reduced city traffic, a decline that began after the pandemic, and impacts from sustainable transport. The goal is to balance impacts on business and utilize park-and-ride to disincentivize car use.

Strong argued the freeze affects a broader population where most do not use cars. He sees the freeze as aiding the wealthy, given that the bottom 10% lack car access. He stated car ownership increases with income. Freezing charges, he added, conflicts with transport plans aimed at reducing car usage.

Muten stated parking prices rose 50% earlier, after steadily increased charges years prior. He noted that Labour ended parking rate hikes after those hikes heavily impacted some, including hospital staff and patients. Muten thinks it’s wrong to paint all car owners as rich, emphasizing the many key workers among them.

Reduced central Brighton parking lowered revenue. The committee heard that charges support bus routes but have not boosted income sufficiently. Muten remarked that earlier hikes hurt the city and spoke of social inequality. He feels high fees stop low earners from getting jobs. The council removed 500 parking spots, costing the council £1.2 million per year.

Jacob Taylor accused the Greens of wanting huge charge hikes. He said older residents need cars for shopping and medical care. Taylor believes parking charges stop people from visiting, which particularly affects outlying residents and their income. He argued that relying solely on parking charges is flawed.

Mark Earthey suggested varying parking rates depending on various times of day. Sue Shanks said new schemes can generate income, particularly in areas without parking management, which face parking congestion. They disagree with freezing parking charges now.

Hollingdean is currently scoping for a parking zone. Nevill is high on the council’s priority list. Portslade and Rottingdean have also sought permit schemes. Ivan Lyons welcomed the parking freeze plan. His group even wants lower prices overall. The council must find savings of about £16 million by the next year.

The council plans a 4.99% council tax increase, with about 40% helping adult social care efforts. The full council meets to decide. A live meeting will take place soon.