The findings of the Powys car park review are set to be “reconsidered” by cabinet.

The report recommended the return of the one-hour parking charge to long-stay car parks, but only in the towns where there are no short-stay car parks. This included Builth Wells, Crickhowell, Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Presteigne and Ystradgynlais. This would not include Brecon or Llandrindod Wells.

It also recommended increasing the tariffs for stays of between two and four hours and all-day parking charges.

Some of the recommendations came in for criticism when they were announced, with one councillor saying it was “punishing workers, shoppers and visitors”.

Now today, the council’s cabinet members have announced that they are to reconsider the findings of the review.

The cabinet report with recommendations was discussed in detail by the council’s scrutiny committee last month. Following this, cabinet members agreed that they need to take some time to reflect on the scrutiny committees’ comments and reconsider the recommendations before taking any further action.

The council has also announced that focus groups will be held to help find a way forward that enables residents and visitors to park “safely and sustainably” in Powys car parks and is achievable within council budgets.

Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, said she appreciated that car parking arrangements are “a very emotive subject” for residents and businesses.

“It is important for us to consider all options and take on board the feedback from the review group, the scrutiny committee, our residents, businesses and visitors,” she said.

“We are committed to finding a common ground that is acceptable to our communities, but is also a feasible, sustainable and affordable option for the council to deliver within our tight budget constraints. It is obvious that we need to go back a few steps and relook at the recommendations to make sure we are doing the right thing.” 

The other recommendations from the review were:

• Review options for introducing charging in off-street council car parks where currently no charging structure exists

• Review options for amending car park permits to be valid for specific, single car parks, with an option to upgrade for use in multiple car parks in the county

• Free parking for events will cease unless the budget can accommodate all associated costs

The politically balanced cross-party review group of local councillors also included representatives from town councils and local businesses where car parks are sited, and was led by an independent, impartial consultant.

As well as car parking tariffs, the review group considered how best to manage all the council’s car parks, town centre footfall, the impacts and benefits of local active travel schemes, available resources, the needs of the local communities and the council’s Sustainable Transport Hierarchy.