MEMBERS of Reform UK are hoping that the other political groups at Cornwall Council will back their motion for cheaper parking in a town centre car park next week. However, a senior officer has warned against the move.

Reform’s deputy leader Cllr Rowland O’Connor is urging the council to undertake a 12-month trial at the short-stay Launceston Cattle Market car park, setting the tariff at £1 for up to three hours in a bid encourage longer visits and increase the number of visitors to the town.

His motion has been seconded by Reform’s group leader Cllr Rob Parsonage and supported by other Reform UK councillors – Paul Ashton, Paul Cador, Julie Cunningham, Keith Johnson, Anna Thomason-Kenyon, Kevin Towill, Ian Wilson and Jack Yelland.

The current tariff is 50p for up to 30 minutes, rising to £2.10 for two to three hours. If approved, the trial – which is due to be discussed at a full meeting of the council on Tuesday (September 16) – would include “appropriate safeguards to ensure that overall car-park revenue sustainability is not compromised. A report on the outcomes of the trial, including financial performance, town centre impacts and potential application to other towns in Cornwall, shall be brought back to full council at its conclusion”.

Cllr O’Connor says his motion has been submitted in response to ongoing feedback from residents, visitors and businesses in Launceston that the current tariff structure discourages longer visits and reduces footfall in the town centre. A supporting petition has been signed by over 500 people.

The request argues a simplified tariff of £1 for three hours would: Encourage visitors to stay longer, supporting independent shops and cafés; Reduce the perception of “overly punitive” parking charges; Contribute to high street regeneration and vitality in line with council priorities.

“FOI data confirms that the Cattle Market car parks generated £84,632.35 in 2024/25 (incl. VAT), demonstrating the importance of balancing financial management with measures that sustain local economies,” added the motion paper. “This trial will also act as a proof of concept for potential application in other market towns across Cornwall such as Liskeard, Bodmin, Helston and Camborne.”

There is an admission of a potential reduction in parking income at Launceston Cattle Market car park, but the Reform councillors argue that the risk is mitigated by a 12-month time-limited trial with monitoring and review.

A response from the office of Phil Mason, Cornwall Council’s strategic director for sustainable growth and development, urges caution and says that it is unusual for such a request to be made at full council.

“In line with the Cornwall Local Transport Plan, short stay parking is designed to facilitate short-term parking and create a high turnover, ensuring that there is always available parking to support the local community and wider traffic management objectives. Launceston has affordable long stay parking available should motorists wish to park for a longer period.

“I am concerned that this scheme may create a reduction in vehicle turnover and income. It would also displace parking from the other short stay car parks, limiting capacity within Cattle Market.”

Mr Mason’s team added: “Car park income is used to support the provision of the parking service, and the excess revenue supports the general budget provision for other transport projects. As you have identified, any scheme implemented could impact upon our income and create a budget gap.

“I note that you have mentioned methods to mitigate any loss of income. It would be beneficial for the parking service to understand how you propose to mitigate any potential loss of income to feed into any discussions with the Cabinet member.”

The council officer’s response concluded: “Initiatives such as this are not typically debated at full council, and are initially discussed with the parking service and the Cabinet member for transport, where it may later be referred to Cabinet / overview and scrutiny [committee] as necessary.”

Mr Mason’s department added that it will ask for the matter to be referred to the council’s Liberal Democrat / Independent Cabinet and/or the overview and scrutiny committee.