Last month, the Cabinet at Breckland Council gave the green light to officially begin the process of transferring a number of the district’s car parks into the ownership of local town councils.
In September, Breckland invited town councils to consider taking on the management of car parking provision in their towns. After a public consultation, Thetford Town Council agreed to take ownership of car parks on Bury Road, Cage Lane, Castle Street, Pike Lane, St Giles West, St Giles East, The Link, White Hart Street, Nuns’ Bridges, and the Priory Main Entrance.
“Residents told us clearly that free and accessible parking is vital for supporting our town centre and local economy. By taking ownership, we are ensuring that decisions about Thetford stay in Thetford,” said Councillor Terry Land, Chairman of the Council’s Corporate Services Committee.
Councils are aiming to complete the transfers ahead of the Government’s planned reorganisation of local government. Under current proposals, Breckland Council and other district councils would be replaced by larger unitary authorities.
Any car parks not transferred before this change would instead fall under the ownership and control of the new unitary authority. The Town Council’s consultation found that two-thirds of Thetford residents would support an increase in council tax to keep parking in the town free. Transferring ownership to town councils is intended to keep decisions local and reduce the risk of parking charges being introduced.
