Deputy Geoff Southern has lodged a proposition with the States calling for a recent increase in Jersey’s public parking charges to be reduced – from 2p to 1p.
He says that the rise in the cost of one parking unit from 74p to 76p, which came into effect at the start of February, is more than twice the rate of inflation.
1. Halkett Place (325 fines in 2012)
2. Beresford Street (316)
3. Esplanade (303)
4. The Parade (260)
5. Phillips Street (223)
6. Victoria Street (220)
7. Broad Street (208)
8. St Mark’s Road (204)
9. The Parade, eastern arm (203)
As a result he says that it is out of line with previous policies agreed by the States. And he now wants the increase to be annulled and replaced with a lower one.
Deputy Southern said that he had brought the proposition because the Transport Department, which introduced the increase, had ‘got its sums wrong’.
He said that it had incorrectly started with an inflation figure of 1.8 per cent when it should have been 1.3 per cent, and then once GST had been added and the number rounded up the increase ended up as 2.8 per cent. That is, he said, against the States policy of keeping such rises within the rate of inflation.
‘Somebody in the department should have spotted this,’ he said.
The St Helier Deputy, who is a member of political party Reform Jersey, added that such cases showed that ministers needed to bring those kind of moves to the States for consideration rather than push them through unchecked using their powers under ministerial orders.
‘It is the difference between doing something by order, which we don’t get to debate, and doing something by regulation,’ he said. ‘If they wanted to increase it by 2.8 per cent they should have brought it to the States because it is a breach of the States rules.’
The proposition is due to be debated on 10 March.
- The Island was forced to fork out an estimated £3 million in 2009 when it was revealed that the Treasury had failed to agree to fix the exchange rate for the construction of the incinerator, which was Jerseys largest-ever capital project. With the pound falling against the euro, the cost rose in line with the changes and the failure to hedge the funds caused huge embarrassment for the Treasury Department.
- In February 2011, the then Health Minister Anne Pryke apologised after revealing an incorrect salary for the new hospital director, Andrew McLaughlin. Deputy Pryke told States Members in the Chamber that the new boss was earning £312,000 a year when it should have been £216,000.
- In November 2009, Education chiefs admitted getting it wrong over primary school maths results. The Education Department gave incorrect figures to then Minister James Reed who then informed the States that 26.7% of children were leaving primary school without the expected level of maths skills. The actual figure was 21.5%./[/breakout]
Sand Street car park became the first multi-storey in Jersey to use a ‘park and pay’ system, following a successful trial in 2012.
It has a number plate recognition scheme where motorists pay before they exit the car park – meaning that there are no fines for being late back to your car or for forgetting to put up a scratch card.
Motorists pay a set amount, based on how long they have been in the car park. For example, one hour’s stay costs 74p but staying for eight hours will set you back £17.02.
Islanders can also buy pre-paid tickets to settle their bills at the end of their stay. The system also allows for 15 minutes to exit once you have paid.
Several months after the scheme was introduced, it was revealed that the States had ‘lost’ thousands of pounds because fines were no longer being issued.
A DIFFERENT approach is needed to parking penalties in town car parks as hefty fines can ruin Islanders’ visits to the capital, St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft has said.
As the States prepare to focus on St Helier in the coming years, Mr Crowcroft wants parking in town to be made easier and more accessible, with better information provided about available spaces.
Parking fines, which can climb to £60 unless they are paid quickly, have left many Islanders in tears, Mr Crowcroft said.
He suggested that at a time when the States are hoping to encourage shoppers and tourists to visit town, the Island should consider a new system whereby motorists take a ticket and pay at the end of their stay, as they do in the UK.
The Constable added: ‘There also needs to be better information with parking. At one time there used to be signs as you came into town showing drivers where there were spaces, but they’ve gone. I would like people to feel that St Helier is friendly towards parking. I would like motorists to be able to find a space and not be penalised for overstaying their welcome.
‘It ruins a trip to town if you get a parking ticket. I’ve seen so many people here in floods of tears. I think it’s £40 if you pay the fine quickly, but it jumps to £60 later. Sixty is an incredible amount of money to pay. I think we need to find a much less punitive system.
‘I think parking fines generate around two thirds of a million pounds a year, but what that represents is two thirds of a million taken from upset people – people whose trip to town suddenly becomes much more expensive.’
Environment Minister Steve Luce announced last week that a crucial aspect of transforming St Helier into a thriving centre was to drastically reduce the number of cars driving through town and parking on crowded roads.
Mr Crowcroft said he shared that view, but he added that if it was to be realised parking around town had to be addressed.
‘Generally I think we need a much friendlier parking system, better information for the public that makes driving to town much easier,’ he explained.
