Wokingham’s ruling Liberal Democrats have revealed they will not be introducing car parking charges at Cantley Park in this year’s budget.
The leadership at Wokingham Borough Council has decided against introducing parking charges at the Twyford Road venue, despite major pressure on the council’s finances.
Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, the executive member for finance said: “The council is facing increasing demand for services, with increasing costs, and reducing support from the government.
“Even with the maximum permitted increase in council tax, we have had to find millions of pounds in savings, with very few ways available to raise additional income.
“Clubs and teams which use Cantley Park already pay fees for doing so, but these do not cover the total cost of the facilities.
“And so the potential to charge for parking was considered as a part of the council’s budget scrutiny committee process, as an option to help cover the cost.”
Despite these budget pressures, the Lib Dem executive has decided that the proposal to charge for parking will not be put forward in this year’s budget.
Councillor Mark Ashwell, whose portfolio includes sport and leisure added:
“Facilities for sport and leisure are very important to our community, for the pleasure they bring and the contribution they make to the mental and physical health of everyone who uses them.
“Therefore we do not want to impose parking charges on venues like Cantley Park – and we aren’t.
“However, pressure on the council’s budget presents considerable challenges, and unpalatable choices are going to be increasingly unavoidable. We simply don’t know how much support we will get from the government in future years, so we cannot make long-term promises on sport, leisure, or anything else.”
Instead of introducing parking charges, the Lib Dem executive has decided to try a new and innovative approach to Cantley Park.
Leader of the council, Stephen Conway said: “Over the nearly three years that the Lib Dems have been running the borough council, we have made great efforts to work in partnership with as many local organisations as we can to arrive at solutions to the financial and other challenges we all face.
“We are now going to apply that principle to Cantley Park.
“Over the coming year we will work with all the groups that use Cantley Park and see what we can come up with together that benefits all of us.”
The Labour group at Wokingham Borough Council have collected more than 2,000 signatures for a petition against the implementation of parking charges at Cantley.
Cllr Nagi Nagella (Norreys, Labour) said: “While we welcome the Lib Dems’ U-turn over the introduction of parking charges at Cantley Park, the threat has not gone away.
“They are only guaranteeing to avoid implementing parking fees in the next financial year.
“They are also only talking about Cantley, but they have been considering three other car parks in the borough and no doubt eyeing up others.
“Wokingham Labour will fight tooth and nail to ensure access to sport and recreational facilities remain affordable for all, and can continue to benefit residents’ health and wellbeing.
“On Saturday, together with my fellow councillors, I met with residents who would be out of pocket if these charges are brought in.
“They were horrified they would have to pay up to £8 just to take part in sports or watch their child play. As such, we have collected over 2,000 signatures in a little over 48 hours, showing just how concerned residents are at the prospect of this Lib Dem tax on playing sport.
“Our petition is still open, and we hope many more people will sign it to ensure parking at all car parks serving sport, leisure and recreational facilities remains free to all.”
Reacting to the news, Sue Daykin, on behalf of Wokingham Theatre, told Wokingham Today: ‘The news that Wokingham Borough Council has decided not to charge for parking at Cantley, at least for the next year, is most welcomed.
“We have liaised with the council on this issue, and helped them to understand the impact of such a radical move.
“It is good to see the people of Wokingham are being listened to, and that our sports and leisure facilities remain accessible.
“If there are any future discussions, we are happy to have a seat at the table to ensure jewels, such as the sports facilities and Wokingham Theatre, continue to thrive and be such assets to the town.”
Becky Steliaros, the Bowmen of Burleigh’s junior team manager said the archery club very much welcomed the council’s proactive partnership approach and looked forward to working together constructively.
She cautioned though that Cantley is a complex site, with costs to maintain the play park, dog walking paths, and mowing/maintenance of non-sport areas, as well as the sports facilities which users already pay for.
She told Wokingham Today: “Cantley is a fantastic resource for the community, and we look forward to working with the other sports clubs, the theatre and the council to come up with innovative solutions.”
