A PROPOSAL to introduce parking charges across residential streets, town centres and other areas throughout the Vale is set to go before council.

Vale council cabinet members will meet to discuss the draft Vale of Glamorgan Strategy report on Monday, July 2.

The report, prepared by Capita, proposes parking charges for town centres, coastal locations, country parks, and on street, and recommends the introduction of residential parking permits.

A consultation on whether to implement parking charges throughout the Vale will begin in August. Previous consultations took place in 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017, but recommendations were never implemented.

The council said it had to make £17m of savings over the next three years.

“There is a need to recoup this cost and to seek additional income that can then enable reinvestment in the fabric of the car parks and assist other services the council provides to continue; including investment in town centres, infrastructure and the country parks,” the report says.

“A parking strategy can also strengthen economic and regeneration opportunities by introducing improved more efficient car park management and they can improve user experience and access to services.”

Vale council leader, Cllr John Thomas said there would be widespread engagement and consultation - including seeking the views of residents, visitors, businesses, traders, and town and community councils.

Cllr Thomas said: “Year on year we are facing tougher challenges in delivering a wide range of services in the face of increasing pressures and reducing budgets.

“Given the continual year on year reductions in the settlement afforded to this council by Welsh Government, the council must consider our approach to the management of car parking across the Vale.

“Our proposals are for parking in town centres to remain free for an initial period, after which charges will apply.

“We need turnover in town centres, and managing car parking will ensure that such turnover is possible and promoted, again to the benefit of our town centre businesses as well as visitors.”