TICKET Machines in Camelford’s Churchfield car park were discussed at the council meeting on July 18, with numerous concerns raised following complaints from locals to the town, writes Livvy Ferguson.

Following discussions at previous meetings, further concerns were raised about members of the council receiving complaints from agitated locals and business owners.

In 2004, Camelford Town Council borrowed £140,000 from North Cornwall District Council to purchase Churchfield car park, with the end date of that loan being March 24, 2029. Mayor Rob Rotchell brought to the members’ attention that money was still outstanding. A sum of £97,689.09 is still yet to be paid back, according to a statement dated March 7.

Cllr Rotchell said: “It wasn’t given to us for free, and we’re still paying for it from the council tax.”

Deputy mayor, Cllr Kirsty Ferguson, added: “I think this is important to keep in mind.”

Esther Greig, town clerk, said a survey is being released on August 3, by various methods to be discussed, which will be available at the Camelford Show, and on social media. She asked the council if ‘we want to pay through precepts? Do we want users to pay at a cost to reduce tax? Or do we want to pay at a profit?’ She added: “We will be coming up with a proposal for August 3, but these are the questions we’re going to be asking.”

Cllr Rotchell said: “Let’s find out how much it would cost to deliver a paper copy to every house in the area, which is approximately 4,000 houses.”

He said he hoped this would stop people saying that they didn’t hear about it. Ms Greig said: “How would we get the papers back? I want yes – no answers to keep the stats clear.”

Cllr Rotchell explained: “As we know, the Churchfield car park is getting near to its capacity, and we have to solve this problem. It is everybody’s problem who lives in the town. We need to ask them, ‘How do we address this problem?’”

Cllr Andy Shaw disagreed with Cllr Rotchell about the capacity of the car park, but Cllr Rotchell ‘advocated most strongly’ for the involvement of everyone with the postal drop. He suggested sending information leaflets to the properties that pay council tax.

Cllr Claire Hewlett said: “Whatever we decide to do to get this out, we all either need to not comment or have the same comment.”

Further suggestions to unite the council by making a formal statement were made. Cllr Rotchell said Camelford Town Council will make the statement. No one will comment further. It was agreed that members of the council would abstain from comments on social media or in the town, as a matter of code and conduct and to prevent confrontation.

Ms Greig added: “It’s great to have so many opinions, but please express them directly through public consultation or the town council.”

Following the meeting, Camelford Town Council released the following statement: “It was resolved at the town council meeting on July 18 to engage with residents in order to gather their opinions on car parking as part of the neighbourhood development plan.

“The Churchfield car park costs the town around £20,000 per year — or £12.16 per household — on their council tax bill. This figure includes maintenance and loan repayments, and is likely to increase over the next few years as the council needs to save up for resurfacing works, likely to cost between £20,000 and £40,000.

“The council has been receiving complaints regarding lack of parking spaces at peak periods, vehicles overstaying the advisory periods for the coloured bays etc. It is difficult to enforce the time periods without proof of when the vehicle arrived. The council would need to install ticket machines, stating time of arrival in order to enforce the parking by-law. These machines would cost £3,500 each; the car park would require two machines.

“The council will be gauging opinion by way of a copy of a survey posted to all households. Responses will be requested via Survey Monkey in the first instance; links will also be available on the town council website, Facebook and Twitter. Surveys will be available at the Camelford Show on August 9, and this will start the four-week consultation period.

“Following data analysis, the results of the survey will be given at the town council meeting on September 19, where it will decide on a course of action.”