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14
Aug
Harrogate councillor fears town being used as ‘cash cow’
Independent councillor Michael Schofield has raised concerns about Harrogate being used as a “cash cow” to generate income for Northallerton-based North Yorkshire Council.
Cllr Schofield, who represents Harlow and St George’s, commented in the wake of proposed changes to parking that could see disc parking abolished, tariff increases and restrictions on Blue Badge use.
He has written to Cllr Malcolm Taylor, the executive member for highways and transportation, asking for details of what consultation will take place and whether council working groups will scrutinse the proposals.
His letter, seen by the Stray Ferret, said:
I am extremely concerned that yet again Harrogate's residents and visitors will be used as a cash cow to extract even more money for the council coffers with regards to parking fees.
Having won the appeal to go ahead with the Station Gateway project, I do not feel this is the time to be heaping yet more pain on the traders of Harrogate also. I urge you and appeal to you to look cumulatively at the damage these two projects or schemes will have on the town of Harrogate, its traders, its residents and its visitors.
Should the council wish to keep its main financial contributors successful (Harrogate and Scarborough), I urge you to please take a sympathetic and more positively constructive approach to the parking fees issue.
The parking principles paper that is going to the executive meeting on August 19, if approved outlines that we are committed to working with residents, businesses and all stakeholders. Parking strategies would be developed throughout next year with full consultation.
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