Failure to Support Local Businesses Over Christmas
This Council notes:
a)
the critical role small businesses play
in sustaining the local economy and the need to commit to policies
that prioritise their survival and growth;
b)
that this Labour-controlled Council has
failed to consider introducing free parking during the Christmas
period, a time when local businesses rely heavily on increased
footfall to boost their sales and secure their
livelihoods;
c)
that small businesses, already struggling
under the national Labour Government’s punitive National
Insurance tax hikes, are further disadvantaged by this
Council’s failure to consider alleviating parking costs for
potential shoppers;
d)
that other councils across the UK have
recognised the importance of supporting their local economies
during this festive season by implementing free or reduced parking,
making this Council’s inaction even more glaring;
and
e) the harmful effects of the Labour Government’s National Insurance tax hike.
This Council believes:
a)
that the needs of the community and the
businesses that form its backbone, particularly during the festive
season when the cost of living crisis and government-imposed
financial burdens already weigh heavily on everyone, should not be
ignored;
b)
that free parking during the Christmas
period would provide a much-needed lifeline to small businesses,
encouraging greater footfall and boosting the local economy at a
critical time;
c)
that the combination of increased
operational costs, higher taxes, and this Council’s
indifference, places an undue burden on local entrepreneurs, many
of whom are on the brink of closure;
d)
that its inaction demonstrates a complete
lack of understanding of, or care for, the struggles faced by small
business owners and residents in the borough;
e) that this failure also discourages residents from shopping locally, driving them to online retailers or larger shopping centres with more affordable or subsidised parking options.
Council therefore resolves to:
a)
acknowledge the detrimental impact on
local businesses of its failure to consider offering free parking
during the Christmas period and agrees to introduce free parking
within the Town Centre during the months of December 2024 and
January 2025; and
b) undertake a marketing campaign promoting the above offer with a view to increasing footfall and boosting the local economy at a critical time.
Minutes:
The following Motion was moved by Councillor Dulston, and seconded by Councillor Bartch:
Failure to Support Local Businesses Over Christmas
This Council notes:
a) the critical role small businesses play in sustaining the local economy and the
need to commit to policies that prioritise their survival and growth;
b) that this Labour-controlled Council has failed to consider
introducing free
parking during the Christmas period, a time when local businesses rely heavily
on increased footfall
to boost their sales and secure their livelihoods;
c) that small businesses, already struggling under the national Labour
Government’s punitive National Insurance tax hikes, are further disadvantaged
by this Council’s failure to consider alleviating parking costs for potential
shoppers;
d) that other councils across the UK have recognised the importance of
supporting their local economies during this festive season by implementing
free or reduced
parking, making this Council’s inaction even more glaring;
and
e) the harmful effects
of the Labour Government’s National Insurance tax
hike.
This Council
believes:
a) that the needs of the community and the businesses that form its backbone,
particularly during the festive season when the cost of living crisis and
government-imposed financial burdens already weigh heavily on everyone,
should not be
ignored;
b) that free parking during the Christmas period would provide a much-needed
lifeline to small businesses, encouraging greater footfall and boosting the local
economy at a critical
time;
c) that the combination of increased operational costs, higher taxes, and this
Council’s indifference, places an undue burden on local entrepreneurs, many
of whom are on the
brink of closure;
d) that its inaction demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of, or care for,
the struggles faced by
small business owners and residents in the borough;
e) that this failure also discourages residents from shopping locally, driving them
to online retailers or larger shopping centres with more affordable or
subsidised parking
options.
Council therefore
resolves to:
a) Acknowledge the detrimental impact on local businesses of its failure to
consider offering free parking during the Christmas period and agrees to
introduce free parking within the Town Centre during the months of December
2024 and January 2025;
and
b) Undertake a marketing campaign promoting the above offer with a view to
increasing footfall
and boosting the local economy at a critical time.
At the request of five Members, a Named Vote was taken of those
Members present at the meeting and there appeared:
For the Motion: The Mayor, Councillors Bartch, Crudass, Mrs. Culley, Dulston, Durham, Keir, Laing, Lee, Marshall, K. Nicholson, Tostevin and Walters (13).
Against the Motion: Councillors Ali, Anderson, Beckett, Cossins, Crumbie, Dillon, Garner, Harker, Haszeldine, Henderson, Holroyd, Johnson, Kane, Lawley, Layton, Mahmud, Mammolotti, McCollom, McEwan, McGill, M. Nicholson, Porter, Dr. Riley, Roche, Snedker, Storr, Toms and Wallis (28).
Abstentions: Councillor Curry (1).
NOTE: At the time that the vote was taken, Councillors Allen, Pease and Renton had left the meeting.
The Motion was Lost.