It was a black day for Midhurst and Petworth when Conservative-led Chichester District Council (CDC) threw aside massive objections from voters and gave contentious car park charging plans the go-ahead on Tuesday.
Leading the small pocket of resistance was Harting councillor Andrew Shaxson, who insisted on a recorded vote.
He was backed by Petworth's Eileen Lintill, Easebourne's Elizabeth Hamilton and Midhurst's Brian Weekes. Rowland O'Brien from Selsey wa
s the only other councillor to vote against charges.
But Janet Duncton from Petworth bowed to pressure from CDC officers who warned her she had a personal and prejudicial interest because her husband's brother-in-law Rowland Kenny was chairman of Petworth Business Association which led the fight against charging. The Duncton family farm, of which she is a director, is a member of the group.
Nick Thomas, who represents Midhurst, remained silent throughout the debate and abstained from voting.
Stedham's John Cherry, who fought valiantly against the proposals at CDC's executive board meeting two weeks ago, also abstained.
Watching from the public gallery was former chairman of Midhurst town council Colin Hughes who told the Observer afterwards: "I think we have the right to expect that our local representatives North of the Downs should reflect the views of their constituents and in some cases that did not seem to happen.
"I can't really see the point of voting someone to represent you and then for them not to do so when it comes to a difficult vote."
There was a crumb of comfort when a proposal from Rogate's Cllr William Mason, seconded by Cllr Cherry, was agreed.
It committed the council to freezing the free parking bands for at least two years after charging is implemented.
But Mr Hughes added after the meeting: "That's particularly worrying because in two years I think they will have a review which could remove free parking altogether."
The meeting also agreed that charging should begin in April 2011, provided that civil parking enforcement (CPE) – giving CDC traffic warden powers of on-street enforcement – had been established and working effectively for several months.
Cllr Shaxson told councillors he believed 'all things being equal all communities should pay their share of car parking. But we are not talking about all things being equal'.
He accepted the delay in implementing charges was aimed at helping rural communities but added: "By 2011 the recession might be over, if it is not, what are we doing for the communities North of the Downs which so often feel they are in another country so far as CDC is concerned?"
Cllr Weekes warned civil parking enforcement would worsen parking problems in Midhurst: "What we must consider is where can we put another car park."
Cllr Hamilton said: "These charges are very unwelcome to people North of the Downs and several of us members actually stated in our election addresses that we were against car parking charges – so I will not be voting in favour."
Cllr Lintill stressed it was essential car parking charges were not brought in until CPE had been seen to be working effectively.
Council leader Cllr Myles Cullen said it was a 'spurious argument' that visitors would be put off by a 20p car park charge.
"This is about traffic management as well as revenue," he said, "and what we have set out is a way of managing traffic especially increasing traffic."
And Cllr Heather Caird said she shopped regularly in Midhurst and Petworth where the shops were 'tremendous' and she would not stop for want of car parking charges.
Portfolio Holder for Community Safety Derek James said the proposals were 'modest, take account of all people's concerns and in the current climate they are necessary'.
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