Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council is set to consider a motion proposed by Councillor Pete Lewington, expressing concern over recent increases in car park charges in the town centre.

The motion, which will be heard on March 27th, calls on the council to write to Powys County Council to express its concern that the increased charges will have an adverse effect on local town centre businesses, residents, and tourism plans.

The budget-setting exercise by Powys County Council has seen astronomical increases of up to 150% for up to one hour and 25% for up to two hours of short-stay car parking in the Back Lane and Gravel car parks. Councillor Lewington has warned that these increases will impact the town centre businesses, residents, and potential tourism plans.

According to the motion proposed by Councillor Lewington, the shorter time periods for parking are essential to attract people to the town centre and to help develop a vibrant economy. It suggests that it would be better to reduce or eliminate charges for these short time periods to attract customers to local businesses.

The motion also highlights that the Powys County Council budget did not state exactly how much revenue these increased charges would raise. It states that these increased charges will lead to fewer people using the car parks, reducing anticipated revenues, and leading to lost revenue from lost businesses.

The Town Council is being asked to show its support for the town centre by requesting the Town Clerk to write to the cabinet member for finance and corporate transformation, Councillor David Thomas at Powys County Council. The letter would express the Town Council's concerns and ask the cabinet member to review these increased charges with a view to not implementing these astronomical increases.

Councillor Lewington has warned that the town centre cannot afford to lose any more of its businesses and that the council needs to show its support for the town centre by requesting Powys County Council to reconsider these charges.

The outcome of the motion will be keenly watched by local businesses, residents, and visitors alike as they hope for a positive outcome in the battle to keep the town centre thriving.

The full motion as printed:

“The Town Council notes the adverse impact on our town centre businesses who are in desperate need of our help, our residents who need to drive to our town centre and potentially our tourism plans and ambitions.

The Town Council requests the Town Clerk to write to the cabinet member for finance and corporate transformation – Councillor David Thomas at Powys County Council to:-

1. Express the Town Council’s concern over the adverse impact on our town centre businesses, our residents who need to drive to our town centre and potentially our tourism plans and ambitions

2. Express the Town Council’s concern that we risk losing more of our town centre businesses

3. Request the cabinet member to review these increased charges with a view to not implementing these astronomical increases as it is unclear as to how the risks of losing more of our town centre businesses and not attracting the tourists we need will help to develop the vibrant economy he desires.”