A ‘VERY positive’ meeting could see fees in Launceston’s Cornwall Council car parks remain unchanged next year.

Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillor for Launceston South Jade Farrington at a meeting last week urged town councillors to attend a meeting at the local authority chambers in Liskeard on Monday, describing it as ‘the annual round of battles over car park charges’.

Cornwall Council’s proposals last time included scrapping £1 parking in Launceston on Saturdays and putting up season ticket prices to more than £300.

With the backing of the town council and the chamber of commerce, Launceston’s Cornwall Councillors in response challenged the proposals and put forward a counter-set of charges.

They managed to retain £1 all-day Saturday parking in long stay car parks, and a new £2 all-day rate was introduced in the Cattle Market long stay car park.

Cllr Farrington told town councillors: “We won last time as we all worked together.”

After the meeting at Liskeard on Monday, she told the Post: “The meeting was very positive and Bert [Biscoe, Cornwall Councillor, portfolio holder for transport] and the officers intend to keep the charges the same next year, unless there are any surprises in the Comprehensive Spending Review and the Government chooses to reduce Cornwall Council’s budget even further.

“I’m pleased to see that making Launceston’s parking fees more affordable has had the effect we all said it would — more people are using the car parks now that they can park all day for £2 on weekdays and £1 on Saturdays, and income is up 7.18% on the year to date. This money goes towards maintaining the roads but there is always a shortfall.

“Cornwall Council intends to market the season tickets more heavily to encourage their uptake. An annual ticket is just £110 in the small permit-only Race Hill car park on Fair Park Close, and £215 in the others for anyone wishing to park closer to the town centre. They can be purchased via www.tiny.cc/buyapermit”