The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Around 40 members of the public turned out for a open meeting in Long Sutton to discuss a district council public notice.
The parish council organised a meeting after a public notice appeared to suggest Long Sutton could be in line to introduce parking charges.
South Holland District Council issued a statement after the meeting date was announced and said there were no such plans and suggested the meeting had been called on the basis of a ‘misunderstanding.’
The public notice related to the introduction of card and cash payment machines at sites in Spalding. It added that there were other car parks ‘considered appropriate’ for such machines – including in Long Sutton.
The parish council said any introduction of charges would be ‘catastrophic’ for business in Long Sutton. The meeting was called by the parish council to discuss the issue.
The legal notice had a period of consultation which started after the last parish council meeting and ended before the next one.
Residents who attended the meeting urged others to submit their objections regarding Para 1 (b) of the notice which includes:
“And may wish to introduce card and cash machines at other parks in the area.
“Other car parks considered for this are Priory Road, Spalding, Boston Road and Fishpond Lane, Holbeach and West Street, Long Sutton and Kings Road, Sutton Bridge.”
It was also said that the parish council was correct to hold the meeting and thanks were given to the chairman for calling it to allow residents the chance to speak.
The meeting also objected to the district council’s statement which suggested the clerk had made an error.
“In fact she had voiced their concerns and opinions correctly and thanks were given to her for her work relating to the matter,” said a statement after the meeting.
The notice also suggested installing charging points for electric cars.
District council members Jack Tyrell and Laura Eldridge also attended the meeting.
They said they were not aware of any plans to introduce car parking charges in Long Sutton and said they would object to any such proposals.
“As a district council we are committed to helping drive the economies of our market towns and the many local independent businesses, who operate there and that’s why we are proposing positive steps to introduce electric charging points across the district,” said the statement.
