Councillor claims parking charge U-turn would 'threaten jobs'

SCRAPPING the planned introduction of parking charges in towns including Dingwall will inevitably put jobs on the line as Highland Council aims to balance its books.

That was the claim from Highland Council budget leader Alister Mackinnon in response to calls by local MP Ian Blackford for the Dingwall proposals to be reversed.

The SNP’s Westminster leader has written to Highland Council chief Margaret Davidson over the issue.

The plans have been met by local opposition with businesses and consumers voicing concerns about the impact it could have on the local economy. They have also sparked rebellions from a number of councillors resulting in a delay to plans budget leaders hoped would ease the financial pressures on the council.

Mr Blackford said: "The case for introduction of charges in Dingwall simply doesn’t add up, that is quite obvious.

"The area committees across the board must take a measured and considered approach to this and Margaret Davidson must ensure that areas like Dingwall, which already have a fragile local economy, aren’t adversely affected.

"There simply has to be more work done with the local communities to offer a shared vision of where parking charges can, and can’t, work.

"Dingwall, in my opinion, and that of everyone I have spoken to, is an area that it can’t.

"The proposals were brought forward with no initial consultation and I think it then dawned on the Highland Council, at least I hope it did, that you can’t just have a blanket policy for everywhere.

"We need to stimulate growth in Dingwall, not curtail it."

But the local authority’s budget leader, who also represents Dingwall and Seaforth, insisted tough decisions need to be taken to protect jobs.

Cllr Mackinnon told the North Star: "As a council we now have a budget deficit of around £5.2m in the first quarter of the financial year.

"We have to realise income from assets we have.

"I realise the proposal is not attractive but with the cutbacks we have received from the Scottish government it’s something we have to do.

"We have done this to protect jobs.

"We also need to continue to look at more efficient ways to deliver services.

"The longer the stalling goes on, the greater the budget pressures we face.

"That is the reality of the situation."

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