Council leader rules out taxing parking spaces (From Gazette Series)

Council leader rules out taxing parking spaces

The Leader of Gloucestershire County Council has ruled out taxing local businesses for their parking spaces as a way to balance the authority’s budget.

Nearby Bristol City Council has indicated it is considering the idea, along with councils such as Nottingham and Leeds. Cllr Hawthorne has also authorised an advert, in co-operation with the county business partnership Gloucestershire First, to run in the Bristol Evening Post, encouraging Bristol businesses unhappy with the proposed parking tax to consider relocating to Gloucestershire. All highways authorities have the power to levy a Workplace Parking Levy under the Transport Act 2000. This allows councils to charge businesses with more than 10 parking spaces an annual fee for each parking space. Nottingham City Council, whose plans for this are the most advanced, has proposed a fee of £350 per parking space, per year for businesses in their area and it is likely other councils introducing the tax would charge a similar amount.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: “In Gloucestershire we welcome and support new and existing businesses.

“They provide the jobs, goods and services that make this county work. I am not going to chase businesses or jobs out of Gloucestershire with extra taxes on parking spaces.

“Gloucestershire is a great place to start or move a business. If companies in Bristol, Nottingham, or elsewhere in Britain are looking to relocate as a result of these charges, or the congestion that some councils have complained of, then Gloucestershire would make them very welcome indeed.”

David Owen, Chief Executive of Gloucestershire First, said: “Gloucestershire’s pro-business approach is just one of hundreds of reasons why new and existing businesses are thriving in the county.

“We have great transport links, excellent facilities and a lifestyle and workforce that helps companies attract and retain the best talent.

“If any businesses from Bristol, or anywhere else, are thinking about relocating, Gloucestershire is a fantastic choice. Gloucestershire First would be really happy to hear from any business considering its options.”