Somerset Council has admitted that its controversial plans to expand parking charges across the county are facing delays — but confirmed that Sunday charges are still due to be introduced later this year.
The update came after Conservative Councillor Bob Filmer challenged the Liberal Democrat-run Executive to explain what progress had been made since the council decided in February to adopt new charges as part of the annual budget. These included a Somerset-wide Sunday parking charge, on-street charging in limited waiting bays, and new fees in currently free car parks.
Cllr Filmer questioned why no consultation had yet begun, what impact the delay would have on the Council’s finances, and how local residents and businesses would be involved in the process. In response, the Executive admitted that staffing challenges had stalled progress and that alternative resources were now being explored. A public consultation on Sunday charging is expected “by the end of summer” — with implementation still planned for October, despite the hold-up.
The Council also revealed that an economic impact assessment has been commissioned, but provided no detail on its scope or when findings would be shared. Meanwhile, no timeline has been set for the introduction of on-street or free car park charges, with officers only able to say that engagement with local councillors and town and parish councils would begin “towards the latter part of the year”.
Cllr Filmer said the update raises more questions than it answers. “This confirms what many feared — new parking charges are on their way, but the process is behind schedule, under-resourced and lacking in transparency,” he said. “These decisions will have real economic consequences for town centres, and the public must be properly consulted before anything is imposed.”
The Executive said that increased parking usage in April and May had boosted income, and if that trend continues, it may offset the financial impact of the delay. Councillor Filmer said, “They baked these charges into the budget before asking the public what they thought — and now they’re struggling to deliver them. Residents deserve better.”
The public consultation on Sunday parking charges is expected to open later this summer. Cllr Filmer is urging residents and businesses to have their say as soon as the consultation goes live.
