WESTBURY could have one hour free parking once more if simple savings are made in Wiltshire Council’s next budget, say Wiltshire Liberal Democrats.
As Wiltshire Council consider their budget for the next year on Tuesday 28th February, as the White Horse News goes to print, the Liberal Democrats are putting forward their own revised budget proposal that would allow them to return one hour of free car parking in Wiltshire towns.
The Liberal Democrats have identified £2.4million in savings from the Conservative-led Wiltshire Council draft budget. They have put forward a costed revised proposal which will include re-instating free one-hour parking across the county; re-opening leisure centres on bank holidays, and providing free swimming for under 16s and over 60s.
Amongst their suggested savings, the Liberal Democrat group has proposed axing £750,000 from Wiltshire Council’s communications and branding budget, including ending the publication of ‘Your Wiltshire’ magazine; making additional senior management savings of £150,000; and saving £250,000 by using LEDs for street lighting.
The group estimates that free one-hour county-wide parking will cost around £1.5million.
Leader of the Lib Dems cllr Jon Hubbard said, “Our main budget amendment this year centres on returning one hour’s free parking in every market town in Wiltshire.
“Keeping our towns vibrant is essential and we do this by investing in them, not by trying to squeeze every last penny out of them.
“The ruling Conservative administration on Wiltshire have produced their budget proposals and we have carefully examined and scrutinised them. Whilst there is much that we find challenging in their proposals, we must also recognise that they have, for now, been chosen by the people of Wiltshire to run the county.
“It’s time to support our towns, and I hope that on February 28th the Conservative administration will choose to back our proposals to amend their budget.”
The White Horse News contacted Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, cllr Dick Tonge, for a comment ahead of the budget meeting on 28th February. He commented, “Any change to the budget is a matter for council.”
