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Councillors fear using 'druggies' car park

Sunday, 2 September 2018 08:59

By Local democracy reporter Daniel Clark and Paul Nero

Police will trump councillors at civic centre

Representatives to be stopped using civic centre spaces

Exeter City councillors who, until now have enjoyed private parking spaces at the civic centre, will have to find alternatives as their dedicated spaces are handed over to the police shortly.

That's raised fears among them that they'll have to use a public car park "that is full of druggies," in the words of one leading Tory. Former Lord Mayor Percy Prowse, who represents Duryard and St James claims the council is "putting commerce ahead of the councillors" as they'll face a £50 fine if they park in the spaces, even if the Exeter Neighbourhood Policing team aren't using them. The police are opening a new 'community hub' at the city centre, and it's deemed their needs are greater than elected councillors.

Councillor Prowse says: “It doesn’t make any difference to me as I cycle in and can park my bike anywhere. But other councillors have said to me that now they will coming out of a meeting late in the evening and having to park their cars in a car park that is full of druggies.

“They say they don’t want to park in these multi-storey car parks that druggies are using to do their deals as there are no cameras and away from the eyes of the police."

An Exeter City Council spokesman confirmed that the six spaces currently reserved for councillors at the rear of the civic centre will be used for police vehicles after the police move in the autumn and that fines could be issued. Other spaces are now reserved for the council's fleet of electric vehicles, after charging points were installed earlier this year. Anyone parking a vehicle that isn't electric could also be fined £50.  

The council says: “This decision was made by senior officers at the council in consultation with relevant councillors. It was taken to ensure the police’s requirement for exclusive use of the six allocated spaces can be maintained at all times. Alternative arrangements have been put in place for councillors to park nearby.

“The provision of the parking places order, which covers these spaces, needs to be enforced, not just in respect of councillors but also officers and others who may park in this area.”

Councillor Percy Prowse is happy to cycle

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