Councillors have called for Dorset Council car park changes to be rescinded until a consultation is held.

There has been outcry about how Dorset Council announced the changes, just a day after a full council meeting, without consulting town or parish councils, local business, or even the majority of its own councillors.

The changes include the doubling of £2 a day fees in some areas and an extension to the charging period from 8am until 8pm, together with the introduction of Sunday charges for the first time.

Many have complained the new fees, due to be introduced in the New Year, will hit businesses hard, just at the time when they need help.

Liberal Democrat leader on Dorset Council, Nick Ireland, has confirmed that none of his councillors, which form the main opposition group on the Conservative-run authority, were consulted about the changes.

Cllr Andy Canning has now written to the chief executive, Matt Prosser, to ask that the changes not be introduced and that a proper consultation be held.

"I am absolutely amazed that there appears to have been no consultation either with local members or town/parish councils concerning these quite significant changes to car parking policy.

"I can quite understand about the need for common policies but to just impose them without any meaningful consultation is surely against the principles of how we want to be running Dorset Council," said Cllr Canning.

Dorchester town clerk, Adrian Stuart, has also written to Dorset Council to ask for an explanation about the lack of consultation although he says that his letter should not be taken as an indication of opposition to the changes.

"At this stage I do not know the views of my members, or indeed yours, as consultation hasn't taken place," he said.

Dorset Council say that a review of car parking was started in January 2020 and, at this stage responses to councillors suggest that the council intends to go ahead with the changes:

"It was considered that car park charges were not consistent or fair and that changes needed to be made. As well as this, some charges had not been reviewed for several years.

"It is the intention of Dorset Council to charge from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday in all Dorset Council public car parks. This will mean a longer charging day and charging on Sunday. As per our legal duty, notices of this change will be published two weeks before the change date," said an email on behalf of senior officer Matthew Piles.

The council says it also intends to allow four days each year when town councils can use Dorset Council car parks for events which promote the area, but not on weekends in December. It is also offering free parking on Small Business Saturday in December and free parking in all Dorset Council public car parks on one weekday in December.

Dorset Council says it is also about the consult on a county-wide shoppers parking permit, similar to the scheme which has been operating in West Dorset for more than 20 years.

See also:

Changes to car parking charges could be reversed after business leaders, councillors and groups complain