BLAKEDOWN Parish Council needs to get a better deal before it agrees to take over the village car park, an ex-councillor who recently resigned over the issue has said.
Former parish councillor Jim Long says he was "gagged" from speaking about proposed transfer agreement due to him being the landlord of the local shop, which meant he had a financial interest in the car park's future according to the parish council.
Mr Long says Wyre Forest District Council had previously expected Blakedown council to pay £20,000 to take on the car park, but says this offer has since been revised to £1, although he says the parish would still be expected to pay thousands of pounds worth of surface repairs.
According to Mr Long, the parish council would not be offered a package of Localism support grants by the district to help cover costs - as was the case when Kidderminster Town Hall was transferred to the town council - which he says is "absolutely unfair".
"I had no option but to resign from the parish council after 14 years as I wasn’t being allowed to contribute," said Mr Long. "Other councils have been offered grants over £50,000 by the district council to run the assets being transferred, but as I understand it, Blakedown would have to cover the cost themselves.
"The car park is in an awful state of disrepair and it will cost thousands to bring it up to scratch, which is absolutely unfair.
"I've resigned because I feel the need to speak out. I don't think the parish council is doing enough, it should be demanding a better deal.
"This car park is a community asset and we shouldn't have to pay as a parish for years of Wyre Forest Council's lack of maintenance."
Business owners in Blakedown are hoping the car park's proposed transfer to the parish council will mean the return of the old half an hour free parking offer.
Jade Bolly, who owns the village shop Crumbs, said: "A lot of people in the community have said they’re not using the shop as regularly since the parking charge came in last year.
"They’re not willing to pay £1 to park when they’re only popping in to get a loaf of bread, they just go to Hagley instead.
"If the parish council takes it on, I’m hoping we get our half an hour free parking back. We’re still doing okay at the moment, but we have noticed a drop in the amount of customers. Hopefully a bit of free parking would bring them back."
Cllr Richard Benney, chairman of Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council, said: "The parish council is currently discussing arrangements for the future running of the car park with Wyre Forest District Council.
"These discussions are ongoing so it would be inappropriate and premature to make any further comment at this time.
"It is the parish council’s declared aim to resolve the issues affecting our residents using the car park to access the post office, shop and parents dropping off their children to school."
Cllr John Thomas, Wyre Forest District Council’s cabinet member for operational services, said: “Mr Long’s information is out of date as he will not be aware of a revised offer that was made to the parish council after he resigned in early January. We look forward to the parish council’s response.
“We are unable to comment on ongoing negotiations through the press as a result of third party enquiries. It is also inaccurate to claim that other Localism transfers have been accompanied by grant support from the district council. The recently announced transfers to Stourport Town Council do not involve any grant.”
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