NEW YEAR ENQUIRY INTO RESIDENTS' PARKING ROW AGREED!
Controversial plans to press ahead with two Residents' Parking schemes in Bristol will be probed by a Scrutiny Panel of backbench councillors in the New Year.
Last month, the Council's Labour Cabinet gave the go-ahead for pilot schemes in Kingsdown and the Brandon Hill part of Clifton, despite widespread opposition and criticism of its public consultation process.
But the hotly-disputed decision was almost immediately halted by Conservative leader Cllr Richard Eddy and Tory Transport spokesman Cllr Peter Abraham, who “called-in” the move - effectively putting it on-hold until the plans can be re-examined.
It has now been agreed that a cross-party panel of five backbench councillors will meet in the Council House on Monday, 5th January, at 5.30 pm, to consider the “call-in”.
Councillor Richard Eddy (Con, Bishopsworth) said: “The consultation over the Residents' Parking Scheme was fundamentally flawed and there is no democratic mandate to impose these pilots - either in the areas proposed or elsewhere. “Local residents and businesses feel cheated by the botched consultation and the fact that Labour seems determined to rush ahead regardless.
“Indeed, there was strong pressure from the Labour Group to arrange the call-in panel during the Christmas holidays, effectively denying the public their right to be heard.
“Such manoeuvres are completely unacceptable and would have compounded the Council's failure to be open and honest with those most affected.
“The scrutiny panel will now be held in the New Year and people are welcome to attend and air their views on this pay-to-park fiasco.”
Written statements should be submitted by 12 noon on Friday, 2nd January to Ian Pagan, Democratic Services, Bristol City Council, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TR or emailed to ian.pagan@bristol.gov.uk
The Call-in Panel has the option to take no action on the call-in, refer the matter back to Cabinet for reconsideration or send it for open debate at the Full Council meeting on 13th January 2009.
