Purpose

It is proposed to support attendance at local Remembrance Sunday events with free parking arrangements which will be signposted as appropriate.

To support the local retail and business community and town and parish councils during festive celebrations, it is the intention to allow 5 days when charges do not apply in each town and village centre car park.

Decision

On 29 October 2026, Cllr Geoffrey Blunden, the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability made the following decision:

That the Council offer free parking arrangements to support Remembrance Sunday events and allocate 5 days of free parking in town centre car parks to support local businesses and communities during December 2026.

Any member of the Council, who is not a Portfolio Holder, who considers that this decision should be reviewed should give notice using the call-in facility at the top of this page on the Council’s intranet / extranet site. Alternatively, notice can be given to the Monitoring Officer (Matt Wisdom) (in writing or by e-mail) to be received ON OR BY 5.15 pm on 5 November 2026.

Details of the document the Portfolio Holder considered are attached below.

Reasons for the decision

This recommendation supports the public at what can be a difficult time of year financially, as well as promoting the use of local businesses for Christmas shopping.

The approach outlined in this report is to stimulate visitor demand, increase footfall across the district and strengthen economic resilience.

Alternative options considered

See report.