Vale Council Cabinet ha been told to reconsider controversial plans for parking charges in the Barry and Penarth areas.

The Council's Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee has referred parking proposals back to Cabinet before plans are moved forward, but opposition parties say the final recommendation is a "watered-down" view of the committee and public opinion.

The proposals were first brought to light on 9th January, as part of a report received by the Vale of Glamorgan Council's Cabinet. The proposals, which were approved by Cabinet could see on-street car parking charges introduced on Paget Road, Breaksea Drive, Friars Road and Station Approach on Barry Island and Penarth Esplanade, Cliff Hill, Cliff Parade, sections of Beach Road and Bridgeman Road in Penarth.

Off-street parking proposals covering car parks at Clif Walk in Penarth, Bron Y Mor and Cold Knap in Barry, West Farm in Southerndown and Portabello in Ogmore by Sea would also be introduced, alongside the closure of Court Road multi-storey car park, which officers say could cost the Council £700k to maintain and operate over the next 5-years, should it remain open.

Following a Cabinet Meeting on 9th January, an initial scrutiny meeting was scheduled for 14th January. The meeting was postponed until Tuesday 28th January after councillors, business owners and members of the public raised concerns about a lack of time for members of the public to register to speak at scrutiny.

Between Wednesday 15th January and the 28th January, the council received over 375 emails from members of the public outlining their views and concerns around the proposed changes and charges to car parking within the Vale of Glamorgan.

Within those emails, 337 stated that the changes would have a negative impact on businesses, whilst 319 stated they would have a negative impact on local visitors and tourism, 44 respondents shared concerns about the impact the proposals would have on members of the public accessing health and well-being services, in reference to the proposed closure of Court Road car park.

A petition against parking charges on Penarth Esplanade and Cliff Top has so far reached 2,233 signatures and a similar petition against on-street parking charges at Barry Island has reached 3,244 signatures, whilst traders on Holton Road have called on the Council to work with them, not against them.

During the special meeting, business owners from Barry Island, Penarth Esplanade and Holton Road shared their concerns on the proposals and the potential impact they could have on the delivery of their services. 

Miss Laura Davenport, owner of Scoop on Barry Island told the Committee that the proposals could lead to her closing her business, whilst Louis Ross of Barrybados stated the changes could undo all of the work traders and the Council have undertaken to make the resort a destination all year round.

Louise Slimings, a practice manager at Holton Dental Centre shared concerns that the proposals could limit customers' access to vital NHS services, whilst staff from outside of Barry could be forced to look for work elsewhere due to lack of available parking.

Matt Holland of Willmore's who operates at Penarth Cliff Top and Comeston Country Park raised concerns about the impact on his business, stating that he'd seen a 30% decline in business at his site in Cosmeston since previous parking charges were introduced, leading to a reduction in opening hours at the country park.

As part of the three-hour session, officers committed to the re-surfacing of Bron Y Mor car park in the Knap and Cliff Walk car park in Penarth before any parking charges would be introduced, but Baruc Ward Councillor Mark Hooper stated that the proposals tabled were "flawed".

Cllr Mark Wilson, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said finding places to park in both towns was "something we really need to be looking at."

But he added his directorate had also been given the task of saving £2.4 million for the next financial year, as the local authority looks to close a budget gap of £8 million.

Cllr Wilson said: “I understand where [businesses] are coming from. Equally though I have also got a budget that I have got to look at.”

Council leader Lis Burnett claimed the proposals were a result of "the abuse of the on-street parking spaces where we want to get turnover."

But the Labour councillor, who represents the Stanwell ward of Penarth, insisted: "We are listening."

"We will take [comments] back and consider it but when we have got people writing to us saying that their staff are parking all day in two-hour spaces then we have to see what we can do to get turnover of those spaces.”

A recommendation by Plaid Cymru and Conservative councillors to withdraw the report was rejected by the committee's chair, Cllr Susan Lloyd Selby, who had the casting vote after 5 members voted for the proposal, 5 against and 1 abstention.

Cllr Mark Hooper, a Plaid Cymru Councillor for the Baruc ward in Barry accused the council's cabinet of showing destain for residents and traders.

In a series of tweets, he questioned the Vale Mayor and Committee Member Cllr Elliot Penn's decision to change his vote from Abstaining to Against, accusing Labour members of encouraging him to amend his vote.

"At yesterday's Vale of Glamorgan Environment & Regen scrutiny meeting, we had to deal with the contentious issue of parking charges and closure of a car park. The public were heavily engaged," said Cllr Hooper.

"On such an important issue for the people of Barry and Penarth, the council cabinet cabal have shown disdain for the views of residents & traders with such petty politicking. Your Plaid Cymru councillors have pushed these proposals back before when the Tories proposed them and will stick firm when Labour do the same."

The committee's final recommendation was for Cabinet to "consider the issues" raised before any work is undertaken, which Conservative councillors say is a "watered-down" view of Committee members and the public.

Cllr Anthony Ernest, a Conservative who represents Plymouth ward in Penarth, said: "These proposals bring huge discredit on the Labour administration in the Vale of Glamorgan. This is a drastic and unwelcome scheme.  

"What losses will come from this? Think about tourism, business income, visits by the disabled, those with serious illnesses and pensioners who enjoy a few moments by the seaside."

"There's not been a word in response from cabinet members to the scores of queries and objections raised by constituents and those further away. It is unacceptable."

Plaid Cymru Cllr Steffan Wiliam, who represents the Baruc ward - including Barry Island - said: "These plans will negatively affect local businesses and local people."

“They will cause problems across the town, causing fewer people to visit Barry Island during the Winter, affect the shops on the Knap and cause visitors to compete with local residents for parking spaces."

“In the Town Centre, closing the Court Road car park would reduce car parking spaces, with a consequent impact upon Holton Road."

“Plaid Cymru have been consistent in opposing car parking changes brought forward by both Labour and the Tories, who made similar proposals in 2019.

“I called for these plans to be thrown out and completely re-considered, but Labour councillors voted against that.”  

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesperson told Bro Radio News they had no further comment to make on the issue.

A recording of the Special Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee meeting on Tuesday 28th January 2025 is available via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bw5tAGWrS0