War of words over charges (From Barry And District News)

War of words over charges

A WAR of words has broken out between Plaid Cymru and Conservative councillors over proposals to introduce car parking charges at Cosmeston Park.

Cllr Chris Williams of Plaid said: "There is still a very real possibility of car parking charges being introduced at Cosmeston Park.

"The cabinet is looking at milking motorists in an attempt to balance the parks budget. The cabinet was given ample opportunity to rule out imposing charges on visitors at a recent meeting but failed to do so.

"In fact Plaid has discovered that the cabinet is investigating over a hundred further ways of making more money from council taxpayers.

"Plaid Cymru is opposed to this additional burden on the public. We believe that the council should be using its resources more effectively before even thinking about making the long-suffering council taxpayer fork out yet more again."

Leader of the Vale Council Jeff James said: "For Plaid to suggest that charging at Cosmeston is a cabinet initiative is totally and utterly wrong. Exactly the same goes for the permit parking scheme around the town centres of Barry and Penarth.

"None of these charges are cabinet proposals. They have been initiated by council officers. Council departments are putting together reports examining their budgets and ways in which they can be managed. The conclusions of these reports have not even been examined by cabinet yet. They would have to be discussed and examined in detail before being adopted as council policy."

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesman said: "The council has recently undertaken a green spaces improvement review looking at all parks and gardens in the Vale, including Cosmeston Country Park.

More than 120 recommendations were made, including the possibility of introducing car parking charges at Cosmeston.

"No decision will be made until a Vale-wide review of all car parking facilities in the county is undertaken later this year.

"If that review recommends that car parking charges are introduced at Cosmeston, the details will be put before cabinet and the relevant scrutiny committee, and people will have the chance to express their opinions on any plans."