ILMINSTER NEWS: Town council told that it would have to pay for free car parking

MEMBERS of Ilminster Town Council have been told that if they want to have free parking in district council-owned car parks they can – as long as they pay compensation for lost revenue.

A possible plan to introduce two hours free parking for motorists at council-owned car parks in Ilminster looks to have been given the thumbs down.

Ilminster Town Council had been supportive of the idea of making it more attractive for shoppers to use the car parks, owned and managed by South Somerset District Council, in a way of minimising on-street parking.

The issue of parking has been discussed on and off for years – but the town council has recently heard from SSDC to say that the idea of two hours free parking was a no-go, unless it wanted to cover the costs.

A report going to members of Ilminster Town Council’s planning and highways committee was told on Tuesday (November 1, 2016) said that the introduction of free parking had been dismissed earlier this year by the district council following a financial appraisal.

But a district council spokesman added: “If a town council wishes to have any free parking then my understanding is that the town council and Chamber of Trade would have to compensate us for any loss of income incurred.”

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