B&NES may be seeking people’s views on its new parking strategy, but a row has erupted after the Lib-Dems submitted a formal complaint about poor information provided at a scrutiny session on the subject.

Lib-Dem Councillors tabled the complaint after Monday’s meeting of the ‘Communities, Transport and Environment’ panel reportedly received only a limited presentation about the parking review, which was not made available at the time papers were published. This was at the same time as extensive information, including detailed quotes from the Cabinet member and a video, was being released via the Council website and in a media release.

Councillor Neil Butters (Lib-Dem, Bathavon South) commented: “There is no reason that the additional information released on the Council’s website and to the press, could not have been shared with the scrutiny panel.

“Democratically-elected opposition councillors have been denied briefings on this major policy change, which the Tories are trying to sneak through without proper scrutiny. Liberal Democrats are calling for the Chief Executive to examine this abuse of process immediately and take action to ensure it does not recur.”

The strategy is based on previous public consultation, and the views that people have already expressed about parking. It also aims to balance the needs of local people and businesses, and a range of social, economic and environmental issues, such as air quality and congestion.

Cllr Mark Shelford (Conservative, Lyncombe), Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: “We’ve done our best to balance the needs of the whole community, with the aim of putting residents, disabled users and local businesses first. The proposals contained within our draft parking strategy will now be subject to a further final round of public consultation, and so I would encourage residents, businesses and all interested parties to respond to this consultation and give their views.”

The strategy is committed to ensuring that free parking continues where it is already available – including South Road in Midsomer Norton, Church Road in Radstock, Larkhall and Denmark Street in Bath – to encourage patronage of local shops, restaurants and services.

Parking charges across the area will be periodically assessed to ensure they are comparative with privately-owned car parks in the same area. Parking charges in the centre of Bath and Keynsham will be managed to discourage long-stay/commuter use, with on-street longer-stay tariffs in Bath (of more than two or three hours) being reviewed.

Barry Macrae, (Cons, Midsomer Norton North) said: “We’re all aware that High Streets across the country are facing a challenging climate with increased competition from online retailers, so it’s important the Council does what it can to support our local economy. Protecting our area’s free parking is one way the Council can do this, and I’m sure this news will be welcomed by local traders in our town.”

Fellow Councillor Chris Watt (Cons, Midsomer Norton Redfield) added: “When the Liberal Democrats were running B&NES, they tried to introduce parking charges at free car parks across the area, including South Road car park. We argued at the time that this would have a detrimental impact on the town, and successfully campaigned against it.”