A RESIDENT from Camelford has complained to the town council, after they discovered they would have to pay for another permit following the purchase of another car.

At the town council meeting on Tuesday, June 18, councillors heard that a letter had been sent to town clerk, Esther Greig, with a complaint about the permit system in the town.

Following the introduction of new parking enforcements in the town’s Churchfield Car Park, people can pay £25 for a yearly permit to park.

One resident had paid for this permit for their former vehicle, but just days after receiving this permit, changed their vehicle. The resident was informed that they would have to pay for a new permit, as they are ‘registration specific’.

Ms Greig said: “This was a resident who changed their car a few days after receiving their permit. One of the points (from the letter) were that we didn’t give out paper copies of the terms and conditions. They may have a point, but I made the decision not to give out paper copies.”

Despite the resident’s frustration, Cllr Andy Shaw made the point that the council should ‘do absolutely nothing’, as councillors agreed the terms and conditions had been made very clear in the run-up to the establishment of the new permits.

Cllr Michael Coombes agreed, saying: “They knew they were going to change their car. Why didn’t they say, and why didn’t they wait (for a permit)?”

Ms Greig pointed out that as the permits are registration specific, residents are unable to transfer their current permit to apply to a new vehicle.

She added: “Everything (in the terms and conditions) is really clear, people are just not reading it. While the change is happening, we will get questions and debates.”

Deputy mayor, Cllr Rob Rotchell, added: “The permits are £25. If you go to Launceston or anywhere like that, its four times the price for a permit.”

Councillors agreed that Ms Greig should reply to the resident to note their feedback.